Mr GOSLING (Solomon) (13:36): I rise to acknowledge the contributions of our veterans to Australia's security, national interest and what we proudly call our good international citizenship. I wish all veterans well this International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers on Saturday, including those in my electorate who will be meeting at the Palmerston cenotaph at 10 am and then afterwards at the Palmerston RSL. One of these important contributions of our peacekeeping heritage was the deployment of Australian service contingents to Rwanda in 1994 as part of Operation Tamar. They were Australia's contribution to the United Nations response to the Rwandan genocide. In the 100 days preceding the arrival of those peacekeeping troops, almost one million Rwandans had been killed. The Australian servicepeople saw great atrocities. Australian service contingents 1 and 2 would stay in Rwanda until March 1996 providing medical support to civilians and security for the medics on the ground. All up, 700 Australians served in Rwanda as part of Operation Tamar and, in July this year, 25 years after their deployment, the contingents were awarded a Meritorious Unit Citation. Veterans who believe that they are eligible are encouraged to apply directly to the Department of Defence.