MEDIA STATEMENT
25 April 2026
Today, Australians across the country will come together to honour the service and sacrifice of the men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform.
ANZAC Day is not about politics. It is about remembrance. It is about reflection. And it is about ensuring that the legacy of those who served is never forgotten.
More than 103,000 Australian men and women have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service of our nation under our flag. That is their commitment to those of us who follow, and it places a solemn responsibility on all of us, and particularly those of us in Parliament, to never take our national security, our freedoms, or our way of life for granted.
This morning, I will have the honour of attending five ANZAC Day services, marches and commemorations across Fisher, on the Sunshine Coast. At each one, I will see the very best of our community, young and old, standing shoulder to shoulder in quiet reflection and deep respect.
Where I could not be present, members of my team and other volunteer representatives attended on my behalf. That is because this day matters. Every service matters. Every story matters.
As someone deeply committed to Australia’s defence and national security, I am constantly reminded that the freedoms we enjoy today have been hard fought and hard won. They were secured through courage, through sacrifice, and through a willingness to serve something greater than one’s self.
While we should remember our ANZACs every day, ANZAC Day provides a moment for our nation to pause together. To reflect not only on history, but on the values that define us, courage, mateship, endurance and sacrifice.
It is also our responsibility to ensure that this tradition endures. That the stories are passed on. That younger generations understand what was given, what was lost and why that must never be forgotten.
Because remembrance is not just about the past. It is about shaping our future.
Lest we forget.
[ENDS]
Media Contact: Brendan West -0402 556 646 – Brendan.west@aph.gov.au
