The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier) (16:35): I move:

That this house—

(a) notes that 30 April 2025 marks the 50^th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, leading to the end of the Vietnam War and the beginning of communist rule in Vietnam;

(b) notes that the fall of Saigon, also known as Black April, had disastrous ramifications for Vietnamese people, including hundreds of thousands of people sent to re-education camps, with many experiencing torture, disease and starvation, and creating a refugee crisis with millions of people displaced into neighbouring countries and across the world;

(c) acknowledges the significant pain and distress still felt by South Australian Vietnamese community members, many of whom directly experienced these traumatic events, or are descendants of those who suffered through both the war and the long, dangerous journey to our shores;

(d) thanks and acknowledges the sacrifices made by Australian and Vietnamese veterans, as well as their families, in the fight for freedom;

(e) recognises the especially significant contribution that Vietnamese South Australians have made to our state in the decades since these events, overcoming the many challenges posed by the legacy of the war with the signature determination, grit and optimism we have come to recognise in our Vietnamese community; and

(f) calls on all South Australians to stand with our South Australian Vietnamese community as they reflect on this pivotal and catastrophic event in our history.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (16:58): I rise to make some comments regarding this motion on the fall of Saigon 50 years ago. I want to acknowledge the impact of the Vietnam War, noting that 30 April 2025 marks the 50^th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, leading to the end of the Vietnam War. I want to acknowledge the sacrifices made by both Australian and Vietnamese veterans, as well as their families, in the fight for freedom.

As has been indicated today, we certainly understand the long and dangerous journey taken by boat by many Vietnamese refugees to the safety of Australia's shore. We thank and acknowledge the sacrifices made by both Australian and Vietnamese veterans, as well as their families, in the fight for freedom. I also want to recognise the especially significant contribution that Vietnamese South Australians have made to our state in the decades since these events, overcoming the many challenges posed by the legacy of the war.

Sixty-thousand Australians, including ground troops, air force and navy personnel served in Vietnam between 1962 and 1973; 2,400 were injured during this time and, sadly, 523 lost their lives, with 58 of those lives lost being South Australian personnel. Sadly, the Vietnam veterans who returned home were ignored, met with hostility and even made aware that their presence was not welcome because some people believed they had not served in a proper war.

This was the reaction they received from not only the public but from some fellow veterans and RSL branches. It took more than 10 years after their return from Vietnam for the veterans to be given the welcoming they deserved. In 1987 a welcome home parade was held in honour of their service and sacrifices. Over 22,000 veterans marched through Sydney, with crowds amassing to more than 100,000.

I want to talk about some of the important Australian conflicts and battles that happened during the Vietnam War. We were well supported by the South Vietnamese while we were there. Obviously, one of these was the Battle of Long Tan. This was a battle that started on the morning of 18 August 1966. The Australians in the Long Tan plantation were outnumbered 20 to one. The majority of the battle was fought in a blinding monsoon and thunderstorm. The entire battle took place over an area no bigger than two football fields.

The rubber plantation at Long Tan was approximately five kilometres from the artillery at Nui Dat. The battle lasted 3½ hours with the last contacts occurring around 7.15pm on 18 August 1966. At the end of the battle, 15 Australians were missing. The ANZAC force had no idea of the significant Viet Cong and North Vietnamese army force they had faced, or the significant casualties they had inflicted upon them.

The Australians lost 18 men who were killed, 17 from Delta Company 6RAR; 11 of these were national servicemen Australian Army, six were regular soldiers in the Australian Army; one was from 3 Troop, 1 Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron, who died nine days later from wounds sustained in the battle; and 24 members of D Company were wounded. There were 245 North Vietnamese army and Viet Cong soldiers killed.

In regard to the Coral and Balmoral battles for the fire support bases, during the mini tet offensive mounted by Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces in May 1968, the 1st Australian Task Force deployed two battalions to an area 20 kilometres north of Bien Hoa City to intercept and disrupt enemy forces withdrawing from the capital, Saigon, and the Bien Hoa-Long Binh Base complex. Several fire support bases were established to provide defended firing points for artillery and mortars which would cover foot patrols to be sent out by the battalions, both 1RAR and 3RAR. One of these fire support bases was dubbed Coral.

The occupation of Coral was begun on 12 May, but the defences remained unfinished when, at about 3:30am on 13 May, it was attacked following a brief but intense rocket and mortar barrage. The 3RAR mortar platoon position was overrun, along with one of 102 Field Battery's six 105 mm M2A2 howitzers in the base. With the aid of extensive air support, the attack was beaten off by 6.30am and the captured gun pit was retaken, still with the gun in it. This howitzer is now on display in the Vietnam War gallery at the Australian War Memorial. Eleven Australians were killed and 28 wounded, while the attackers lost more than 52. A further three Australians sadly died in patrol clashes on 14 May.

At 2.30am on 16 May, Coral again came under attack, this time from a North Vietnamese Army force estimated at three battalions strong. The base was now defended by armoured personnel carriers of A Squadron, 3^rd Cavalry Regiment and 3RAR's rifle companies, all of which were heavily engaged. Part of the A Company position was occupied for a period, but the enemy was forced to withdraw. The attack was repelled after four hours of fighting, with the Australians having suffered five men killed and 19 wounded. Two members of the American Battery which had reinforced the base were also wounded.

On 22 May, Coral was subjected to yet another rocket and mortar barrage, but this time the NVA troops were dispersed by return fire from mortars as they formed up to attack. Although there were further bombardments on 26 and 28 May, and patrols sent out from the base came into contact with the enemy, Coral was not seriously threatened again. During fighting on 26 May, the base's defenders even turned the tables on the NVA by sending a troop of Centurion tanks from C Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment (which had arrived as reinforcements three days earlier) outside the perimeter wire with infantry support. These engaged and destroyed most of an NVA bunker system that had been discovered.

Enemy efforts on 26 May were primarily focused on another base, named Balmoral, which was established about 4½ kilometres further north on 24 and 25 May by 3RAR, supported by tanks. The defenders threw back assaults launched against Balmoral on 26 and 28 May. On the latter occasion, the attacking NVA regiment lost at least 42, and seven prisoners were taken.

These were just some of the significant battles that were undertaken during the Vietnam War, and the Australian soldiers fought with valour alongside their South Vietnamese counterparts. The camaraderie and the assistance that the South Vietnamese soldiers gave to our men while they were fighting for democracy in Vietnam, and also the families of South Vietnamese who assisted our people while they were trying to defend democracy, can never be forgotten.

On 26 April 1976 the first boatload of refugees fleeing Vietnam sailed into Darwin Harbour, heralding a series of arrivals over the years to follow. The vast majority of refugees from Vietnam arrived by plane after selection by Australian officials in refugee camps established throughout South-East Asia. Since 1976, Australia has become home to a thriving Vietnamese community. In fact, the census from nine years ago shows that there were 219,357 people in Australia who were born in Vietnam.

Vietnamese Australians have made significant contributions to various aspects of Australian life, including culturally with their cuisine and certainly with business. I want to acknowledge former Governor Hieu Van Le, here today with his wife, Mrs Le, and their contribution, along with all the other Vietnamese who have made such a great contribution to this great state and this great nation.

The impact of war was terrible, especially for those left behind who were tortured and persecuted for their belief in democracy. Thankfully, we have made a safe haven for many refugees to come and enjoy the benefits of this great state and this great nation. Again, I want to acknowledge all the veterans, the South Vietnamese and the Australian veterans, who worked together in trying to enforce democracy all those years ago in such a terrible war. In closing, I again want to acknowledge the massive contribution that the Vietnamese community has played right across this state and this nation. We are far better for it. Thank you.