keating and gallipoli

(From abc.com.au)

Anzac Gallipoli gatherings misguided, Keating says

By Antonette Collins

Posted 3 hours 41 minutes ago
Updated 2 hours 26 minutes ago


Paul Keating says it's nonsense to think the nation was redeemed at Gallipoli. (ABC)

Former prime minister Paul Keating says he thinks it is misguided for people to gather each year at Anzac Cove to commemorate the landing at Gallipoli.

Speaking at a book launch in Sydney, Mr Keating said Australia's decision to go to Gallipoli was influenced both by loyalties to Great Britain and a desire to become more independent.

He said while Australia wanted to prove itself to Great Britain, the nation also resented being dragged into a war which did not threaten it or its people.

He said he has never been to Gallipoli and never will because it is nonsense to think the nation was born again or redeemed there.

"The truth is that Gallipoli was shocking for us," he said.

"Dragged into service by the imperial government in an ill-conceived and poorly executed campaign, we were cut to ribbons and dispatched and none of it in the defence of Australia."

He said the sacrifice of soldiers was simply testament to the nation's lack of confidence and ambivalence about itself.

"Who were we and what we had become. If our sons suffered and died valiantly in a European war, such sacrifice was testament to the nation's self worth," he said.

"In some respects we are still at it; not at the suffering and the dying but still turning up at Gallipoli, the place where Australia was needily redeemed.

"Without seeking to simplify the then bonds of empire and the implicit sense of obligation or to diminish the bravery of our own men, we still go on as though the nation was born again or even, redeemed there. An utter and complete nonsense."

The RSL's national secretary, Major General Bill Crews, says there are many Australians who would disagree with Mr Keating's comments.

"He's correct in recording that we were there as part of the empire, when the British empire went to war Australia went to war, no matter where it was. That's why we were at Gallipoli and yes it was tragic in many senses but let's look at what happened in Gallipoli and what Australia did to prove itself and I think that's what's important to many Australians today," he said.