Crossin, Sen Trish

Senator CROSSIN (Northern Territory) (00:04): Yes, that is correct. Thank you very much for that reminder. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: There being no objection, leave is granted. Senator CROSSIN: Last week, President Barack Obama said of his visit to the Northern Territory: I thank the people of Darwin for the incredibly warm welcome. And I’m proud to be the first US President ever to visit the Northern Territory. Last week was indeed a historical week not only for Australia but most definitely for the Northern Territory and Darwin. Starting in Canberra, the visit of the President of the United States on 16 and 17 November has produced great gains for Australia. Prime Minister Julia Gillard and President Barack Obama met on 16 November here in Canberra and announced a series of initiatives to expand and deepen cooperation between Australia and the United States. These partnerships include new initiatives in education, teacher quality and school improvement; a partnership between the two countries to address global development challenges and to improve reading outcomes for 100 million children in primary schools by 2015; new cooperation and enhanced collaboration on best practices for promoting energy efficiency and more; and a memorandum of understanding on enhancing cooperation on, and preventing and combating, crime. Of course, Territorians were incredibly proud to host the President of the United States in Darwin last Thursday, especially since he personally bothered to come and make two specific announcements that related to Northern Australia. He announced, along with the Prime Minister, that Australia will welcome the deployment of US marines to Darwin and Northern Australia, for around six months at a time, where they will conduct exercises and training on a rotational basis with the Australian Defence Force in the Northern Territory. The initial deployment will consist of a small liaison element and a company of 250 US marines. The intent in the coming years is to establish a rotational presence of up to 2½ thousand persons in a marine air ground task force. The second component consists of greater access by US military aircraft to the Royal Australian Air Force facilities in the north. So what we see are two initiatives that in fact make the alliance between the US and Australia stronger. This reflects the fact that we now live in a region that is changing. It is changing through growth in its economy, but it also needs to have stability as a permanent presence. Along with the US, we will posture to better respond together to any regional contingency, dealing with humanitarian assistance or any natural disasters in the region. The President's visit to Darwin last week began with a service at the USS Peary memorial on the Esplanade to pay respects to the victims and survivors of the ships that were sunk by Japanese dive-bombers on 19 February 1942 and to acknowledge the day that the Second World War came to our soil. People need to appreciate that every year in Darwin the Australian American Association of the Northern Territory hold a memorial service on that day. I particularly want to pay tribute to Rick Setter, the former Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory, who chairs that group and so ably coordinates and conducts that memorial service each year. As we know, and as the Australian War Memorial notes, 19 February 1942 was the day Darwin was bombed. Japanese fighters and bombers attacked the port and shipping in the harbour twice during the day. They killed 252 allied service personnel and civilians. On 3 March, Broome in Western Australia was strafed. In succeeding months, air attacks were made on many towns in Northern Australia, including Wyndham, Port Hedland and Derby in Western Australia; Darwin and Katherine in the Northern Territory; Townsville and Mossman in Queensland; and even Horn Island in the Torres Strait. Despite popular fears, these raids were not the precursor to an invasion. In fact, they were conducted whilst the Japanese invasion of East and West Timor was underway on the same day. However, the raids did serve to interrupt the use of Darwin's port facilities and also tied up antiaircraft defences and Air Force units that would have otherwise been sent to more forward areas. The Japanese air raids on Darwin on 19 February collectively involved over 260 enemy aircraft. Subsequent raids in April, June, July and November of that year and the following March, in 1943, were carried out with forces of 30 to 40 fighters and bombers. The 64th and last air raid on Darwin occurred on 12 November 1943. In total there were 97 air attacks on Northern Australia, and enemy air reconnaissance over the region continued through much of 1944. Recognition of all these attacks has prev­iously been included in the national recognition of the Battle for Australia Day, which is commemorated in September. On 9 February this year, in the lead-up to the 69th anniversary of the bombing of Darwin, I spoke in this chamber about the need for us to nationally commemorate the bombing of Northern Australia, including the first and largest devastating attack on Darwin that occurred on 19 February 1942. On that day in February this year I said that the commemoration of the Darwin bombings is: ... not intended to rival Anzac Day, is not intended to rival Remembrance Day but is intended to complement and augment these services, because they each tell a particular and special story about Australia’s military history—about our survival and the efforts of our defence forces and civilians to maintain and protect the democracy that we so value. But this time it was on our own soil, our very own turf. It is time that this nation recognised that in a national day of commemoration. So I am now proud to say that, as a result of the announcement last week, we have actually achieved this national recognition. The Prime Minister announced on 18 November that the government intends to recommend to the Governor-General that 19 February be proclaimed as the Bombing of Darwin Day to ensure that the attacks across Australia's north are appropriately remembered and commemorated each and every year into the future and that a day of remembrance on 19 February will ensure that the hundreds of lives lost in those dark months of the Second World War are never forgotten, whether in Darwin or in any of the other communities that were hit across Australia's north. I want to thank the Prime Minister for her support on this important day for the Northern Territory and the nation. I also want to acknowledge the contribution of my colleague the Minister for Veterans' Affairs and federal member for Lingiari, the Hon. Warren Snowdon, who was instrumental in ensuring that the importance of the bombings in Northern Australia is appropriately commemorated. In fact, just today, Mr Snowdon congratulated Canberra student Alexandra McKinnon for her entry in the In War and Peace category in the 2011 National History Challenge, which requires students to demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of Australia's wartime heritage. Minister Snowdon said that Ms McKinnon's essay examined how the bombing of Darwin was a defining moment in Australia's history and the resonating effects it had on our country during and following the Second World War. It is pleasing to see young Australians show an interest in our wartime history and, in particular, the bombing of Darwin, when the Second World War arrived on Australian shores. At the USS Peary Memorial in Darwin last week, the American President met with local Darwin residents, some of whom lost family members on that day. The date 19 February 1942 also marks the day that Portuguese East Timor and Dutch West Timor were invaded by the Japanese military forces. Almost 70 years later, we have a very close relationship with the now independent Timor Leste, the Republic of Indonesia and, of course, the Japanese. Darwin and the Northern Territory stand at the crossroads with Asia. While we maintain the recognition of our history, we are also eager and willing to embrace and cherish our regional relationships as we continue to do our part to build a peaceful and prosperous region for all our neighbours. From the USS Peary Memorial last week, on our grand esplanade, the President and the Prime Minister and some of us following, I might say quite proudly, moved to the Darwin RAAF Base, where, with the troops and guests, they experienced an afternoon which I am sure nobody who was there will ever forget. The successful delivery of such a significant visit, watched by the entire country and the world at large through an army of media, does not happen without the hard work and support of those on the ground. This evening I want to unfold for people who are perhaps listening just how many people are involved in an event like that which took place last week. I extend my personal thanks and admiration to the individuals of the ADF and the Northern Territory government, and in particular I want to praise the efforts of the Northern Territory Police and emergency services and other individuals and organisations that made the visit such an outstanding success. There was a welcome to country by Bill Risk, from the Larakia nation, and people experienced wonderful entertainment from Jessica Mauboy, Gurrumul Yunupingu and the Army bands that played through the afternoon. Our Navy, Army and Air Force committed everyone available to work on the event, which ensured that not only was everything exceptionally well organised but there was also a rousing event at the RAAF Base Darwin hangar, with approximately 2,000 troops, including some US Marines. The senior Defence officer in the Northern Territory, commander of Northern Command, Air Commodore Ken Watson, is to be commended for his exceptional leader­ship of what was a complex and detailed operation. He was ably assisted by his staff at Larrakeyah, including Lieutenant Com­mander Phillipa Hay, Major Hywel Evans and Lieutenant Commander Tom Lewis—all of whom worked with Miss Kelly Cooper, the regional manager of the Communications and Media Branch, to jointly coordinate the multitude of protocol and media demands. Of course, the three armed services provided the people and equipment. In order of seniority I want to acknowledge them. The Navy provided about 100 Navy personnel to the RAAF base reception event. To the Army, my thanks to Brigadier Fergus McFarlane AM ADC, the Commander of the 1st Brigade, for their mounting of a security task group commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Forbes, with approximately 200 soldiers from the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment and the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment. The task group worked in conjunction with the Northern Territory Police Force to provide route clearance and security tasks throughout the President's visit to Darwin. All the units of the 1st Brigade provided assistance in the set-up and coordination of the RAAF Darwin event. Private Dominic Mead, from the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, had the opportunity to meet the President privately as part of a select person 'clutch' group who met the President prior to his announcement to the main group. Private Mead was particularly selected for this opportunity, as he was wounded in Afghanistan during the recent 1st Brigade deployment and he continues to be a model soldier in 1st Brigade. Approxi­mately 1,350 members of the 1st Brigade attended the event at RAAF Darwin. The 1st Brigade provided the bulk of the troops for the hangar events and also essential security posts to ensure the security of the cavalcade route. As always we had outstanding service from our soldiers, many of whom have been on much more dangerous security missions overseas. Finally, I turn to the RAAF. The President's event at the RAAF hangar was truly great. As well as hosting the event, the RAAF had 180 personnel in the hangar and an additional 110 on duty at various locations around the base. I want to acknow­ledge the commanding officer of 13 Squadron, Wing Commander Robert Graham, and his team, as they did an out­standing job in dealing with the requirements of the federal team and bringing local agencies together; Flight Lieutenant Jodie Dell, as base security officer at 13 Squadron; the Mechanical Equipment Operational Maintenance Squadron; the drivers and the media ushers from the Defence Support Group; the Air Movements staff; all the staff involved in the arrival and departure of the VIP aircraft and those making arrangements for refuelling and re-victualling of the aircraft. The MC for the event was the charming Wing Commander Desiree Watson, a logistics officer at the Northern Joint Logistics Unit, and I congratulate her for a job done extremely well. Thank you also for the support from Canberra, including Squadron Leader John McCourt, Lieutenant Peter Croce, and for the support from our colleagues in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. In particular I want to thank John Preston from that department and the people and personnel from the US embassy. Finally, I want to pay a very sincere tribute to Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services. There is no doubt that when people in Darwin are put under pressure they rise well above the challenge. The security operation in Darwin was the largest event ever conducted by the Northern Territory Police and it took several weeks to plan and execute. My since thanks go to the NT Police Commissioner, Mr John McRoberts, and his outstanding officers. The security operation involved more than 400 officers, including approximately 200 from interstate, and was well supported by other government departments and by, as mentioned, the troops from 1st Brigade. Thanks must go to the Northern Territory community, who tolerated the inconvenience that the visit caused. The road closures were the only way we could effectively conduct such a high-security operation. I want people to know that there were actually hundreds and hundreds of people who lined the streets of Darwin just to get a glimpse of the President and the motorcade. They were so excited that he was in town. Everyone's patience was appreciated. There have been some that have argued that there was little or no threat to the US President whilst in Darwin. While this might be true, the security operation for the President has to be replicated wherever he goes. You cannot ramp it up or wind it down depending on a locality, as experience tells us that this is when mistakes can be made. So well done and thank you to all of our security officers—federal, territory and those from other states that gave us a hand—and to our local authorities and security companies that combined, in a wonderful team effort, to provide the level of professionalism that was expected of our great institutions and businesses. I know it was a massive team effort in the two weeks leading up to the day and particularly during that amazing 24 hours. Again, well done to those involved. In conclusion, I think it is appropriate to leave the last words to the latest Northern Territory convert: the President of the United States. He said: God bless the great alliance between our two peoples. We are two Pacific nations and with my visit to the region I am making it clear that the United States is stepping up its commitment to the entire Asia Pacific. In this work we're deeply grateful for our alliance with Australia and the leadership role that it plays, as it has been for six decades. Our alliance is going to be indispensable to our shared future. About Darwin and the Northern Territory he said: So, we're deepening our alliance—and this is the perfect place to do it. I know the training conditions around here are tough— at least that’s what I’ve heard. Big, open spaces … harsh weather … mozzies … snakes … crocs. On behalf of the Northern Territory—and I am sure the Northern Territory's Chief Minister, Paul Henderson would also agree—I say we look forward to the President's return to the territory, as he promised when he said, 'Darwin, I'll be back with my wife and kids.' So we look forward to that day and I promise that we will show him and his family a great territory experience—and that will be without any need for the crocodile insurance that was gifted to him.