MEDIA RELEASE
14
September 2018
HONOURING THE CONTRIBUTION
OF AUSTRALIA’S PEACEKEEPERS
THE vital role of Australians in United Nations
(UN) peace operations and their more than 70
years of dedicated service to the international
community is remembered today, National
Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Day.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester
said peacekeepers and peacemakers have played,
and continue to play, an important role in
providing support and assistance to victims of
conflict, often in unstable and dangerous
locations.
“In September 1947, the
first Australian peacekeepers arrived in the
Netherlands East Indies—modern day Indonesia—to
begin work as unarmed military observers and to
observe the
movements of both
sides to ensure any violations were brought to
the attention of the international community,”
Mr Chester said.
“Over time the nature of peacekeeping evolved,
requiring management of more complex and
multi-dimensional issues, ranging from
operations as military observers, providing
logistical support, and monitoring ceasefires to
landmine clearance operations, supporting
democratic elections, providing policing support
functions, and facilitating the delivery of
humanitarian aid.”
Since 1947, Australians have served in more than
50 multi-national peacekeeping operations.
Australian state and federal police forces have
also had a long involvement in peacekeeping
operations, beginning in 1964 with the first
deployment to Cyprus and ending 53 years later
in 2017.
“Today, I encourage people across the nation to
respect and honour the service of the 16
Australians who have died on peacekeeping
operations,” Mr Chester said.
“Australians should also reflect on those who
have served in all peacekeeping missions, and
those who are currently
serving in the Middle East UN Truce Supervision
Organisation (UNTSO), and the UN Mission in the
Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS).”
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Whil Prendergast: 02 6277 7820
DVA Media: 02 6289 6466
Office of the Hon. Darren Chester MP,
Canberra.
Veterans and
Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) can
be reached 24 hours a day across Australia for
support and free and confidential counselling.
Phone 1800 011 046 (international:
+61 8 8241 4546). VVCS is a
service founded by Vietnam veterans.