CANBERRA - 4 August 2021

Deputy Speaker,

Australia's 20-year commitment to the war in Afghanistan has ended.

This period, from 2001 to 2021 was our Defence Force’s longest military commitment. But that period of time also included many other warlike and peacekeeping operations.

The significant date of September the 11th will no doubt evoke a range of emotions for hundreds of thousands of current and former Defence members, their families and indeed our nation.

To commemorate this occasion and to promote a period of reflection and remembrance, a collective of the best veteran bands and musicians will kick off an Australian-first national concert tour, called Rock for RNR: reflection and remembrance.

Like the ancient Greek auditoriums, Rock for RNR will help process and validate our Australian Defence Force’s experiences and to welcome them home.

It will be a cathartic experience and is very much needed.

Furthermore, Rock for RNR seeks to quash the myth that all veterans are busted.

And what better way than to do this through music and the arts and led by our veterans themselves?

I commend veterans Harry MoffItt, Rob Pickersgill and the other Rock for RNR organisers, as well as the Australian National Veterans’ Art Museum.

I encourage the Minister for Veterans Affairs to support the significant program.

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ENDS