Parliament House Canberra ACT 2602
Telephone 02 6277 7820 Facsimile 02 6273 4140
The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
VA085
Sunday, 31 August 2008
BATTLE FOR AUSTRALIA DAY TO BE MARKED ACROSS AUSTRALIA
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, encouraged Australians to attend Battle for
Australia Day services this Wednesday to commemorate the service and sacrifice of those who
defended the nation during the Second World War.
Mr Griffin said he was pleased to deliver on an election promise to officially observe Battle for
Australia Day.
“Battle for Australia Day pays tribute to the men and women who served in defence of Australia
in 1942 and 1943 when we faced the gravest threat to our nation,” Mr Griffin said.
Proclaimed by the Governor-General in June 2008, Battle for Australia Day will be observed on
the first Wednesday in September each year –– marking the first defeat of Japanese forces on
land in the Battle of Milne Bay.
Mainland Australia had come under direct attack four days after the fall of Singapore in
February 1942. Two air raids were launched against Darwin on 19 February.
In May 1942 the battle of the Coral Sea was fought. From July to September 1942, the
Japanese advanced towards Port Moresby until they were held and then defeated at Milne Bay
and on the Kokoda Track.
If these crucial battles had not been won, the progress of the war could have been very
different. Meanwhile, Japanese submarines continued to operate along Australian eastern
waters until June 1943 and air raids continued against northern Australia until November 1943.
“Debate continues about what were the intentions of the Japanese at that time. However, we
must not let this debate overshadow the service of those who fought so bravely to defend our
nation,” Mr Griffin said.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to our Second World War servicemen and women. On Battle for
Australia Day, we reflect on the wartime events that helped shape our nation and remember
those who lost their lives to protect our freedoms and way of life.”
Editors note: Details of Battle for Australia Day commemorative services are attached.
Media inquiries: Aaron Jobsz 0439 043 613
The VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a
week on 1800 011 046.
To receive the Minister’s media releases automatically by email please go to minister.dva.gov.au/subscribe.htm
Parliament House Canberra ACT 2602
Telephone 02 6277 7820 Facsimile 02 6273 4140
The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
Battle for Australia Day Ceremonies
Events commemorating Battle for Australia Day will be held in the following locations:
New South Wales
Date:
3 September 2008
Time:
11:00am
Location:
Cenotaph, Martin Place, Sydney
Victoria
Date:
3 September 2008
Time:
10:40am
Location:
Shrine of Remembrance, St Kilda Road, Melbourne
Queensland
Date:
3 September 2008
Time:
11:00am
Location:
Battle for Australia Memorial, 80 George Street, Brisbane
Tasmania
Date:
3 September 2008
Time:
11:00am
Location:
Cenotaph, Hobart
Western Australia
Date:
3 September 2008
Time:
10:15am
Location:
State War Memorial, Kings Park, Perth
Australian Capital Territory
Date:
3 September 2008
Time:
11:00am
Location:
Western Courtyard, Australian War Memorial, Canberra
NEWS 
