Skip to content
Veterans Affairs

Media Release – Minister Keogh – Remembering the Battle for Australia

Department of Veterans' Affairs 2 mins read

OFFICIAL

crest_ministerial

 

THE HON MATT KEOGH MP

Minister for VETERANS’ AFFAIRS

MINISTER FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL

 

MEDIA RELEASE

6 September 2023

REMEMBERING THE BATTLE FOR AUSTRALIA

Today, we commemorate the Battle for Australia, remembering the brave Australians who defended our nation by land, sea and air during the Second World War. 

When the island fortress of Singapore fell on 15 February 1942, Prime Minister John Curtin said it was time for the Australian people to fight and work harder than they ever had before.

Our nation’s resolve was tested, not just in the Pacific, but at home as well, and we were not left wanting.

War reached Australia’s shores on 19 February 1942, with the bombing of Darwin, killing more than 250 Australians, Allied service personnel and civilians. By the end of the war, northern Australia had endured 97 air raids, 64 of which targeted Darwin.

It was in this light that Prime Minister Curtin overrode the British Prime Minister and returned our 7th AIF forces for the battle at home.

The threat of invasion must have felt very real when three Japanese midget submarines infiltrated Sydney Harbour, throughout the course of the night on 31 May – 1 June 1942, sinking HMAS Kuttabul, killing 19 Australian and two British Sailors.

With the home front under attack, our forces overseas remained strong, contributing to a major Allied victory at the Battle of the Coral Sea, and fought with tenacity and courage in a series of battles in Papua New Guinea, none more famous than those fought along the Kokoda Track.

More than 39,000 Australians made the ultimate sacrifice during the Second World War, some 22,000 became prisoners of war, and over 8,000 never made it home.

We commemorate the Battle for Australia on the first Wednesday in September. This day represents a defeat of Japanese forces on land during the Battle of Milne Bay.

Today, I encourage all Australians to pause and remember the brave Australians who answered the call to stand tall against the threat of invasion during the Second World War.  

Read more about the Battle for Australia on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Anzac Portal.

 

MEDIA CONTACT:

DVA Media: media.team@dva.gov.au 

 

More from this category

  • Education Training, Veterans Affairs
  • 17/12/2024
  • 12:26
Charles Darwin University

CDU mourns passing of beloved Territorian

It is with deep sadness that Charles Darwin University (CDU) acknowledges the passing of distinguished judge, educator and former Administrator of the Northern Territory,…

  • Contains:
  • Veterans Affairs
  • 02/12/2024
  • 12:07
Department of Veterans' Affairs

Prime Minister, Minister Marles and Minister Keogh – Media Release – Government’s Response to the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide

J O I N T M E D I A R E L E A S E ANTHONY ALBANESE MPPRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIARICHARD MARLES MPDEPUTY PRIME MINISTERMINISTER FOR DEFENCEMATT KEOGH MP MINISTER FOR VETERANS' AFFAIRSMINISTER FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE TO THE FINAL REPORT OF THE ROYAL COMMISSION INTO DEFENCE AND VETERAN SUICIDE The Albanese Government has today released its response to the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, setting out a plan for real, meaningful and enduring reform for Defence personnel, veterans and families. The Royal Commission was the most significant and comprehensive inquiry…

  • Veterans Affairs
  • 30/11/2024
  • 09:20
Department of Veterans' Affairs

Media Release – Minister Keogh – Registrations for 2025 Overseas Anzac Day Services Now Open

OFFICIAL THE HON MATT KEOGH MP Minister for VETERANS’ AFFAIRS MINISTER FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL MEDIA RELEASE 30 November 2024 registrations for 2025 OVERSEAS Anzac Day services now Open Before the break of dawn on 25 April 1915, thousands of young Australian and New Zealand soldiers landed on the beaches of Gallipoli, beginning the Anzac legend. Every Anzac Day, Australians recommit to keeping the legend alive – to never forget. Services are held around the world to solemnly remember the sacrifice of not only the Anzacs, but all those who have served in the years since, in defence of our nation.…

Media Outreach made fast, easy, simple.

Feature your press release on Medianet's News Hub every time you distribute with Medianet. Pay per release or save with a subscription.