2/18th Battalion AIF Association Ceremonial March

Mr O’FARRELL (Ku-ring-gai - Deputy Leader of the Opposition) [12.22 p.m.]: Each year since 1950 on the first Sunday following Anzac Day a ceremonial march has occurred along the Pacific Highway, Gordon, between Ku-ring-ai Municipal Council’s Chambers and the Anglican Church of St John the Evangelist - a distance of some 500 metres. The march is part of the commemoration services for the 2/18th Battalion AIF Association. St Johns, Gordon, has effectively acted as a garrison church to that battalion since 1920. It houses two historic crosses - the Pozieres cross and one from Changi. The first formed of material found on the battleground, the second at that notorious prison camp. Both crosses testify to the bravery of those young Australians who fought for peace, liberty and democracy - those things that many of my generation take for granted.

I have enjoyed my association with members of the association who so willingly and bravely fought for this country. Their courage, commitment and continuing optimism are an annual source of inspiration to me. At this year’s commemoration after the wreath laying ceremony it was announced that the traditional march to St Johns would not occur because of a decision by local police which apparently related to staffing issues, traffic delays and abuse from motorists. The day after the march, 3 May, I wrote to the Minister for Police seeking a review of the decision. My letter, in part, stated:

At a time when many in the community, including the Premier, are urging a greater interest in our history, especially our military past, and attendances are up at remembrance services, I am surprised at the Police Service’s decision and I request that you review it.

In support I would argue that the actual inconvenience to north-bound traffic is slight given the actual march took less than fifteen minutes and, in any case, is inconsequential given the sacrifice made by members of the 18th Battalion in two World Wars.

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A week later I received a letter from Mr Paul Gemmell, President of the 2/18th Battalion AIF Association, also protesting the police decision. Mr Gemmell stated:

We feel very strongly that this special commemoration service should be allowed to proceed next Anzac Sunday, 30 April 2000 and thereafter. The service honours the hundreds of the fallen of the 18th Battalion AIF, lost mainly at Gallipoli and Pozieres in World War 1 and over a third of the 2/18th Battalion who lost their lives in World War 2 including 98 in our first major battle at Nithsdale estate Johore, Malaya, which was a severe Japanese defeat, and 152 men murdered by the Japanese in Sandakan and on the Sandakan-Ranua death march.

Mr Gemmell understandably added:

Surely it is not too much to expect that those who gave their lives for the freedom we enjoy, freedom to stage such traffic disrupting events as the gay Mardi Gras, Serbian protests, or various political marches on Parliament House, should be allowed this small annual peaceful, but very meaningful and very Australian commemoration march.

I used Mr Gemmell’s letter to again raise the matter with the Minister for Police. On 23 June the Minister replied and rejected my plea and that of the 2/18th Battalion AIF Association. His letter repeated the earlier arguments relating to traffic disruptions advanced to stop this year’s and future marches. I genuinely believe that that answer and the earlier decision are not only irreverent and disrespectful but incredibly miserable. They ignore the sacrifices made by members of the 18th Battalion and, if allowed to stand, will downgrade the importance of this commemoration service. Like many honourable members, I usually stand in this place at this time requesting improvements to road conditions and public transport infrastructure to help people to get to where they want to go more quickly and safely.

Today I have no hesitation in arguing that on this one Sunday of the year I believe traffic delays are justified. The commemoration service should take precedence over motorists. A small delay on this one day may help remind affected motorists of the sacrifices made by so many back then for us today. I simply do not believe that a short closure of one of the six lanes of the Pacific Highway, Gordon, is too great an ask given the contribution that members of the 18th Battalion have made to this country in two world wars. Like many in this House I have witnessed a welcome revival and interest in recent years, especially amongst our young people, in remembrance services. I am always astounded by the number of young children who attend dawn services at places such as Roseville and Hornsby.

I applaud, and will continue to applaud, the Premier’s efforts to ensure that the history and lessons of these conflicts are effectively taught within our schools. The events in our region today and in various parts of the world remind us of what was at stake in the conflicts in which so many Australians fought and died in World War I and World War II. I do not believe it is too much to ask that the traditional commemoration march along the Pacific Highway be restored. I again plead for the Minister of Police to respect tradition, to honour the sacrifices made in war and to help promote the continued commemoration efforts of the 18th Battalion AIF.