This evening, I leave for Turkey for the 100^th anniversary of the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli.

 

A hundred years on, this weekend Australia’s eyes will turn to a place far away but so close in the minds of all Australians.

 

As a nation, we will pause to remember those who fell at Gallipoli, a century ago, far from their homes.

 

We remember their brothers-in-arms who lie beneath white crosses amidst red poppies in other foreign fields.

 

We remember the 60,000 young men and women lost during the First World War, lost to a young Australia.

 

The First World War left its mark on our people and our continent like few events before or since.

 

On Anzac Day, as we gather for the rituals of respect and contemplation, as we say together ‘Lest we Forget’, we rededicate ourselves and our nation to the honoured memory of the fallen.

 

We declare that their sacrifice was not in vain. We remind ourselves of what they fought for: the people they loved and the country they believed in.

 

In 2015, as we mark the centenary of Anzac, there is no-one left among us who knew firsthand the courage and chaos of the 25^th of April a hundred years ago.

 

But the Anzac story will always be part of our Australian story. The Anzacs will always speak to us, and for who we are.

 

Lest We Forget.

 

Whilst in Turkey, I will also visit Istanbul to meet with Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and as well as business representatives.

 

Deputy Leader Tanya Plibersek will be Acting Opposition Leader while I am overseas.

 

WEDNESDAY, 22 APRIL 2015

 

MEDIA CONTACT’S:       LEADER’S OFFICE MEDIA UNIT 02 6277 4053

RYAN LIDDELL (IN TURKEY) +61 427 225 763; [email protected]