HISTORICAL EVENTS—WAR IN THE PACIFIC—70TH ANNIVERSARY

Senator McEwen, pursuant to notice of motion not objected to as a formal motion, moved general business notice of motion no. 830—That the Senate—

 (a) notes that in 2012 Australia is commemorating the 70th anniversary of the War in the Pacific and acknowledging the contribution of our service personnel to the defence of Australia during that period of World War II at events and memorial services in Australia and elsewhere in the Pacific region;

 (b) notes that:

  (i) the 2/27th Battalion AIF was formed at Woodside in South Australia in May 1940 and disbanded in March 1946,

  (ii) the 2/27th Battalion AIF fought in all the major World War II campaigns in which Australia was engaged and was awarded honours for the following battles: North Africa, Syria, The Litani, Sidon, Adloun, Damour, South West Pacific, Kokoda Track, Efogi-Menari, Buna-Gona, Gona, Ramu Valley, Shaggy Ridge, Balikpapan and Borneo,

  (iii) during the campaign in New Guinea in 1942 the battalion suffered heavy casualties during the battle at Brigade Hill on 8 September and at Gona in November and December, and

  (iv) the battalion continued fighting in New Guinea and was serving in Balikpapan, Borneo, when the war ended in August 1945;

 (c) acknowledges the invaluable contribution of the 2/27th Battalion AIF throughout World War II;

 (d) expresses its appreciation to the surviving members of the 2/27th Battalion AIF who served with courage and distinction in the Pacific War and other campaigns in World War II; and

 (e) thanks all those who served in Australia's defence forces during World War II.

Question put and passed.