Australia joined its allies in the Middle East after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States. On 11 July 2021, the Defence Minister Peter Dutton confirmed that after twenty years, all Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel had departed Afghanistan, bringing our nation’s longest war to a close. He has advised that a national day of Commemoration will now be established to ensure that we, as a nation, formally recognise the service and sacrifice of Defence personnel and their families who helped to save Australian lives from terrorist attacks on our own soil. A national day of Commemoration will be a focal point for recognition of all those who served in, supported, or lost their lives during these campaigns.
Noting the significance of this commemoration, the government is seeking the views of ADF personnel, their families, veterans, ex-service organisations and the Australian community on an appropriate day to commemorate those who have served in the Middle East. Defence has established a website to facilitate a consultation period which will be open for a period of two weeks from today, Monday 19 July, until Sunday 1 August 2021 to provide every opportunity for the voices of veterans and their families to be heard. The website can be found at https://www1.defence.gov.au/events/national-day-commemoration-australia-involvement-middle-east-area-operations
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