Transcript
The 19th October is the fifth anniversary of the sinking of theSIEV X.
I want to thank Steve Biddulph for his initiative in creating the SIEV X memorial.
It commemorates the tragedy that saw 353 lives lost, 146 of whom were children.
The symbolic white poles with artwork from schools, community and church groups were lifted in memory of the people who lost their lives.
Well over a thousand Canberrans turned out to support grieving family and friends at the ceremony.
The strong support for this project is testimony to the deep seated compassion of many Australians, who hold out the hand of friendship to asylum seekers looking for a new home in Australia.
I call on the National Capital Authority to grant permission for the memorial to be permanently located on the foreshores of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra.
