Commemorating Vietnam Veterans Day today, Australian Greens spokesperson for Veterans' Affairs, Senator Penny Wright, acknowledged the significant and long lasting impacts of war on veterans, their families and the wider community.

 "As we remember those veterans who went to Vietnam in our name, we also need to recognise that serving in a conflict zone has deep and long lasting impacts - both socially and economically - on those directly involved, but also on their families and the wider community.

During Budget Estimates for 2012/13, Senator Penny Wright asked the Community Affairs Legislation Committee about the following issues in regards to Veteran mental health and care. Click the links below to read the full transcript:

• Veterans Carers and other Support Services
• Veterans Mental Health Services

Senator WRIGHT: I want to ask some questions in relation to the increasing number of veterans with physical and mental problems who are being cared for in their homes by spouses, family members or other unpaid carers. I am aware of the concern of people in the community through consultations and discussions that I have been having. I am interested in better understanding what support is given to carers of veterans to enable them to accompany the veterans to hospital or care facilities-for example, transport services.

For me, Anzac Day brings me memories of my dad, who served in New Guinea in the Second World War.

Growing up, I noticed he wasn't one for going to the March, or the Pub either. He'd spend the day in his beloved shed - a bit more subdued than usual.

In later years, he explained to me that he was thinking about the mates he had lost, especially his best friend, Freddy, who was shot by a sniper on the day before the war ended. Peace came too late for Freddy. And many others.

My father didn't talk much about what he had been through, in the war.

Australian Greens spokesperson for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator Penny Wright, today acknowledged the significant and long-lasting impact that serving in a conflict zone has on veterans and their families.

“As we remember and give thanks for the generous service of Australian service personnel on ANZAC Day, we must also acknowledge the issues faced by many veterans and their families when they return from conflict zones,” Senator Wright said.

This week we heard distressing news that Australian war graves, along with others at the Benghazi War Cemetery in Libya, had been damaged. While we waited for confirmation as to the number and identity of the graves, our thoughts have been with the relatives and comrades of those soldiers whose graves have been desecrated in this way.

This year will mark some dark moments in our recent history.  Seventy years ago, today, on 19 February 1942, saw the WW2 bombing of Darwin in two separate raids, resulting in more than 240 people being killed, and hundreds more injured.

The Australian Greens will tomorrow pay tribute to service personnel and civilians who lost their lives in the bombing of Darwin, the first and largest direct attack of mainland Australia.

Greens spokesperson for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator Penny Wright, said the 70th anniversary of the bombings tomorrow was a timely reminder of the enduring costs of war.

“At least 243 civilians and Australian and US service personnel lost their lives during those two raids, and between 300 and 400 were wounded,” Senator Wright said.

Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee
Wednesday 15 February 2012

Seventy years after one of Australia’s darkest years in recent history, Australians should pause to reflect the sacrifices made by Australian service people who have served in conflict zones while also acknowledging that for veterans the battle often continues long after they have come home, the Australian Greens said today.