Unanimous support for Anzac Motion, Crook
Posted on Friday, 23 March 2012
THE Federal Parliament has unanimously supported a Private Members’ Motion to ensure Albany plays a key role in the 2014 Centenary of Anzac Commemoration.
The Motion was moved by Nationals WA Federal Member for O’Connor Tony Crook MP.
Mr Crook said he was very pleased to see the motion receiving bipartisan support through the Parliament.
“Clearly both sides of Government can recognise the importance role played by Albany as part of the Anzac story, and there is now a bipartisan commitment in the record books to see Albany play an important role in the Centenary of Anzac commemorations.”
Mr Crook said planning and design work was already well underway for the Anzac Interpretive Centre on Mount Clarence, and he was hopeful further Federal funding would be committed for the construction of the centre.
“This Motion will put significant pressure on the Federal Government of the day to support the Anzac Interpretive Centre, in line with recommendations by the National Commission on the Commemoration of the Anzac Centenary.”
Mr Crook said another recommendation by the National Commission included a re-enactment of the convoy of vessels in King George Sound.
“A convoy of Australian and New Zealand vessels assembled in King George Sound in November 2014 would be a spectacular sight to see,” Mr Crook said.
“There has also been talk of inviting vessels from England, the United States, Germany and Japan to participate in the convoy as a display of solidarity.”
Mr Crook said his Private Member’s Motion also acknowledged the work that has been undertaken by the Albany Centenary of Anzac Alliance.
“This group has been instrumental in putting Albany’s Anzac history on the Federal Government’s agenda.”
In a speech in Parliament during the week, Mr Crook said the Anzac spirit was strong in Albany.
“The Anzac spirit is alive and strong at the Anzac service, where each year more and more people turn out to commemorate our fallen soldiers,” Mr Crook said.
“It is alive and strong for the many visitors to Mount Clarence, and it is alive and strong among the young people of Albany, with schoolchildren actively taking a role in developing plans for the Commemoration of the Anzac Centenary.”
Mr Crook has organised for the Australian flag hung in Parliament this week to be presented to the Albany Centenary of Anzac Alliance on Anzac Day this year.