THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE PORT ARTHUR MASSACRE

28 April 1997

The tragedy at Port Arthur on 28 April 1996, was a truly national one. The victims came from many parts of Australia. Indeed, one of the remarkable things was how many of us or members of our families knew someone who had been involved. As I said at the time, our nation was united in its grief.

More particularly, of course, Port Arthur was a Tasmania tragedy. For those who died there and those who were involved in the massacre and survived; for those who were work mates of those who were killed or injured; for those involved in the provision of rescue, medical and support services; for those who lived on the Tasman Peninsula; for all the people of the State.

Now, a year after those events, we look back and mourn. But the time has come when, together, we must look forward to the future. We should be conscious of the fact that the Tasman Peninsula is one of the most beautiful places on earth. And we should bear in mind that, notwithstanding the evil of what occurred at Port Arthur last year, there was and has been much good.

There was a bravery of those involved. There was the compassion and skill of those who assisted at the time and subsequently. There was the great strength of the relatives of the victims and of the people of the Peninsula and the State. There was and is the knowledge of Tasmanians, who often feel their State is left off the map, that the thoughts and the support of all other Australians were and are with them. And then, of course, out of the national revulsion at the tragedy there came uniform gun laws, which probably would never otherwise have been enacted.

It is on these good things and on the wonderful beauty of the region and the determination of its people that we must now all build. Thereby, we will ensure that those good things prevail over the awful evil of what was done.