Parliament House Canberra ACT 2602
Telephone 02 6277 7820 Facsimile 02 6273 4140
The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
VA082
Monday, 14 September
PEACEKEEPERS’ CONTRIBUTION HONOURED TODAY
The important and ongoing contribution of peacekeepers will be honoured today on Australian
Peacekeepers’ Day, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Alan Griffin said.
Laying a wreath to mark the day during a service at the proposed site of the National Peacekeepers’
Memorial, Minister Griffin encouraged Australians to recognise the role of peacekeepers in helping
to restore peace around the world.
“Australia has been involved in peacekeeping operations for 62 years and there are currently more
than 1200 Australian Defence Force personnel deployed to ten peacekeeping operations overseas,”
Mr Griffin said.
“Peacekeepers serve in dangerous and unstable locations around the world, seeking to restore
peace and order and assisting the victims of conflict. Today is an opportunity to honour their
valuable contribution.
“Australia has a proud record of peace operations over the past 62 years. More than 30,000
Australian peacekeepers have participated in some 50 United Nations and multinational peace
operations across the globe since the first operation in Indonesia in 1947.”
Australia’s peacekeeping roles have included military observation, logistics support, cease-fire
monitoring, landmine clearing, humanitarian aid and repatriation of refugees.
Australia has contributed to peacekeeping operations in the Middle East, Namibia, Cambodia,
Mozambique, Rwanda, Bougainville, East Timor, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Solomon Islands and a host
of other places.
“Australia’s peacekeeping operations have involved men and women from the Australian Defence
Force, federal and state police forces and Australian Government agencies,” Mr Griffin said.
The Australian Government is also funding a study investigating the long-term effects on mental
health and the quality of life of Defence Force peacekeepers deployed through the 1990s to 2002.
The study, funded by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, will consider Australian involvement
during this time in places such as Rwanda, Somalia, Cambodia, Namibia, Western Sahara and East
Timor and complement the current Deployment Health Surveillance Program being undertaken by
the Department of Defence.
“This research will help us to better understand and respond to the future health needs of
peacekeepers and peacemakers,” Mr Griffin said.
Media inquiries: Sasha Nimmo 0437 863 109
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 subscribe at minister.dva.gov.au/subscribe.htm
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