General News
30 November, 2025
On November 11 the Public Interest Debate in NSW Parliament was about Remembrance Day
Roy Butler comments on 2025 Remembrance Day Public Interest Debate in parliament
Remembrance Day Public Interest Debate
On November 11 the Public Interest Debate in parliament was about Remembrance Day, acknowledging the importance of this commemoration to all Australians, its significance in our history, and thanking all veterans for their sacrifices. It was a subject that is particularly poignant to me and my family.
My grandfather served in both World War I and World War II. My father was a TPI (totally permanently incapacitated) veteran of the Korean War, I served in the Australian Army, although fortunately I never saw battle, and my son Gabe is now serving with 3RAR in Townsville.
Many families across the country have a connection to Remembrance Day, many know someone who fought in a conflict, or who served their country in the military, or are currently serving.
Those who join the military effectively sign a blank cheque for their country, not knowing what the result might be. Some may never see conflict, but all join with some expectation they may be called on should their nation ever go to war.
People have many different reasons for joining up, some do it because they know they will learn useful skills, some because they see it as an adventure, some to travel, some to get an education, or even quality health care that they might not get elsewhere.
Over a century ago thousands of Australians signed up to fight in what became known as “The Great War”, over 400,000 of them, and around 60,000 died. After the war ended on November 11, 1918, it became important for thousands of Australians to remember the war. It was part of processing the grief and understanding the conflict.
November 11 has been commemorated since then around the world as Remembrance Day, to remember the sacrifices made, the lives lost, but also to look forward and to commit to a future where peace is possible. Lest We Forget.
