Not just Nelson's resignation, that of the entire Council. Every single last one of them. Utterly disgraceful. And no, we will not tolerate Keating's jejeune statement on one side of it as a compromise. May as well carve Gillard's ridiculous 'we are us' onto it. And I don't give a toss if Keating has to be told he won't be eulogised on our war memorial (all we need now is Watsoon to whinge those were his words not Keatings and turn the tomb into another petty left ****fight). Our unknown soldier and the thousands of others we buried without knowing their names are not all of us. They are not us. We did not fight and die like they did. Our role is to preserve and honour their memory. Not to rewrite or usurp it.

Don't let up people. Get those Council minutes. The entire Council has to go.

How dare he my great Grandfather and Grandfather and others died in 1st and 2nd world wars and Vietnam fighting for this country and on a whim of his he decides to change the words known unto God and why because this will not unset those who do not believe in a Christian God enough Keating has nothing to offer this country or ppl anymore he is a has been PM we got rid of him I am so angry where is the RSL why are they not saying anything to stop this

Soulless people with warped agenda abound. I'm disgusted. Get lost the lot of you. As for Keating I will refrain from expressing my opinion of him and all he stands for

It is about judgement isn't it?

When you are embarrassed by your partisanship you feel like you have to cleanse yourself. What better way than embracing Paul Keating?

I actually think being a former conservative leader is an honourable thing, why would you dilute your place in history?

Public pressure resulted in a GG resigning (we all know why this was justified) we can do the same until Nelson and his council go.
Having visited many war cemetries all over the world in my travels
saw so many "Known Unto God" always struck me as so sad let alone the walls with those who simply just vanished. I could never just walk away and move on it still stays with me the endless rows of graves and I still question why for World War 1 (so many generals on all sides were guilty of some of the worst war crimes in history) but we must always honour and respect those who carried out their duty and obeyed orders. The ANZAC and Turks had great respect for each other even thou they were bitter enemies in battle which is why the Turks now honour the ANZACS.
Hopefully Abbott will replace all the Labor endorsed appointments just hope some can happen quicker than others.

Evidently, hardly patriotic, Labor have white-anted Australia and their clear agenda is to destroy our sovereignty and to leave open our nations borders. Australian soldiers did not get killed for this to happen. Labor have no respect for A.N.Z.A.C. Day once a solemn day, a full public holiday and now reduced to just a few lousy hours and then business as usual. Resentful, Labor/Greens do not like our confused, brainwashed, dumbed down children to be informed and taught about our these things in now Godless "ethical" schools, like they were once taught before? Labor/Green hate the Australian flag, that really says it all.

Empty Labor leader Bill Shorten had the hide to go to Afghanistan today and 'thank' out troops, when it was him and his treasonous Labor cronies who gloatingly opened our borders, trashing our border security and allowing entry into Australia over 52,000 very dubious passport-less $15K "country shoppers", most all of them fit young men who have allegedly "fled" Afghanistan to backdoor it into Australia.

N.B. Contemporaneously our diggers are there in Afghanistan, fighting for those country shopper's rights! Our diggers are being murdered and maimed, shot in the back by so called Afghan friendlies and now this treasonous "scumbag" Bill Shorten goes all the way to Afghanistan for an A.B.C. news-media stunt to 'thank' our soldiers...get out of here.

Yes - Every last one of them should be sacked!!!

Those who are supposed the represent the fallen should have stood on their hind legs, banged the table and said "NO WAY, NO CHANGE"

Keating never fought for Australian, he wouldn't have the guts, and he has no place being immortalised at the AWM!

I've had so many phone calls - people are so wild about this absurd idea!!!

I wonder what you think "Known unto God" means or suggests? Do you think "We do not know this Australian's name, we never will", is not a good rendition of what it means, and its significance.

'We do not know this Australian's name, we never will'

This is not true. There are enlistment rolls which contain all the soldiers' names who went away to fight. We know the names, we just don't know which one he is.

Nelson should know better.

How infuriating. What an outrage.

It wouldn't surprise me if Peter FitzSimons was Keating's speech writer for that eulogy - after all, he's written so many books on some of our greatest battles it's not beyond the realm of possibility that he was consulted by Keating for his suggestions.

All of the Council should go - the Lefties for attempting to desecrate our history, and the military types for allowing it and failing in their duty to stand up for what's right in the interests of our past and present military personnel.

That 'Unknown Soldier' is definitely NOT "one of us". He was a soldier who wore our nation's military uniform and he was 'one of them' - the men and women who fought on foreign fields and whose life and future was snatched away by the fortunes of war. He represents 'them', not us.

I may be mistaken, but I believe I read somewhere that the man whose remains were interred as 'unknown' had actually since been identified using DNA matched to his descendant family members. Have I got it wrong?

By the way, what's the War Graves Commission doing? In travelling interstate to Sydney's Rookwood cemetery last year I found my Gallipoli veteran grandfather's grave to be a disgrace. A stub of sawn concrete bearing a bronze plaque was eventually found amongst the profusion of weeds with the cement surround broken in places by subsidence and half buried under leaf litter, twigs and bark from a nearby gum tree.

My family and I had the area cleared and resurfaced, but there are restrictions about what can be done with a registered war grave. The 100th anniversary of Gallipoli should mean a lot more than who gets a taxpayer funded junket to Turkey.

How about restoring the resting place of the men who didn't die on the battlefield but who died of their injuries after they returned home? When families have moved away or relatives can no longer care for those graves, the nation should not forget them and neither should the War Graves Commission - isn't that their job?

Or is it just for war graves in foreign battle fields. I'd really like to know.

I'll be back in Sydney at Christmas - I wonder what I'll find there this time.

Is this another attempt not to offend some immigrant group/s?
Like it or leave ....

Nelson better take a Keating J Curve on this - The Ar- -hole ..

As an ex Aust NAvy Person 1953 - 55 I am ashamed that this is being done.

I believe All Present and Ex Servicemen will be of the same thought.

It is a Disgraceful Act !

He should offer his resignation immediately. Australians are sick to death of the left side of politics. We are paying for the policies of the left in our bush land and on our borders. 'Known unto God' is etched in every memorial of those whose grave has no name. This happens around the world! To replace those time honoured words with a sentence uttered by a left politician is disgraceful. Dr Nelson you should have known better!

Gillard never understood the meaning of ANZAC she was more focused on what happened in the mines in Wales many many years ago.
That was her focus in her policies. Another country another time
she so failed the Australian people.

I am a godless vet.
And I oppose any attempt by Nelson and his ilk to mess with that hallowed place.

you know something, I reckon he is covering for 'SOMEONE'. Who got him this job in the first place. I cannot help but feel also that this is definitely not his thought alone he was too quick to claim responsibility. THAT other 'someone' is involved and gave him the order. could one add him to the group of faceless men, yeah why not!!!!

Hi Jenstar,

I recall when he was Prime Minister of Australia, sections of the UK press would refer to him as "The Lizard of OZ".

Since coming to live in Australia and learning a lot more of Keating and his lifestyle I think the description becomes much more meaningful

Correllio,

You have said what needs to be said very precisely.

"Our role is to preserve and honour their memory. Not to rewrite or usurp it."

Thank you from a very cranky ex WRAN.

I have written today to Brendan Nelson. I am a member of a family with a proud tradition of service, some now retired, some still serving. To change the thoughts and beliefs of earlier generations to suit today's "respect for nothing" generation is beyond contempt

What a disgrace, my respect for Brendan Nelson as a former Defence Minister has been shattered.

Why would we, the ex service men and women of Australia's Defence Force, have Paul Keating's legacy inflicted on our defence force personnel who have lost their lives in the service to their country.

Keating, who legislated ongoing erosion of military superannuates by discounting the then CPI increases by 2%, due to his "recession we had to have", is not a fit and proper person to have anything at the AWM that reminds our defence personnel of his legacy to us.

I only hope the current Minister for Veteran Affairs overturns this abhorrent decision prior to Remembrance Day.

I wonder what you think these people are trying to achieve by inserting the words of a speech writer of a politician to the grave site of my great grandfather?

Apparently they have reached a compromise and a little plaque with the nonreligious friendly, politically correct, gender neutral, wank statement will be installed.

What is your problem? Are you also scared of 3 word slogans?

The AWM is a military site.
Soldiers don't play political games.

Political gamers shouldn't try playing soldiers.
Piss off down to the other end of the street, to the military free zone called Parliament house.

Misreporting by Fairfax's Canberra Times yesterday, corrected in a media statement of Senator the Hon Mathias Cormann
Minister for Finance re donations to Australian War Memorial.

"MC 9/13
28 October 2013
Australian War Memorial

The Canberra Times reported today that legislation developed by the former government will impact adversely on the Australian War Memorial and how they manage donations.

This is not true.

There will be no change in how the War Memorial deals with donations and no money from donations will be taken from the War Memorial......"

http://www.financeminister.gov.au/media/2013/mr_2013-9.htmlSenator the Hon Mathias Cormann
Minister for Finance

Again, no proper research by our journalists, no consultation with the Minister.

A good rendition or not, it is immaterial, Michael.
Take away the left's agenda of replacing "God" for whatever reason they masturbate about, the tomb must be considered in it's original historical context.

Displaying appalling disrespect, those who chose to make such a profound change to the tomb's inscription have clearly identified themselves as idiots. Worthless in their current positions, they should resign immediately. The minister should be rushing to sack 'em.

What's your point?

Likewise, I watched Nelson's address on TV & was astonished at this announcement. Although Keating's speech was outstanding in '93, the replacement of the existing commemoration is an extraordinarily controversial act and a very presumptuous one.

It all comes down to who owns the historian, doesn't it?

Thanks for the email address Helen K. I am ex RAAF myself and have just shot off a blast to the little fool extolling the virtues of falling on his sword and taking the bandana wearing idiot with him. I also gave him a serve for putting the words of any union supporting Labor filth that went on many strikes and harmed our war effort and endangered our fighters lives in many a theatre of war. Hopefully if there is enough response he will do one thing right in his life and follow my advice.

What next among our precious National heritage will these loonies of the Left try to polute with their meddling. Eulogising the words of Paul Keating, of all people, that skion of gutter language and smear.
Leave our War Memorial alone. Leave our traditions alone. Get out of our lives.
Labor Lefties are notorious for trying to wipe the slate clean of anything to do with religion, simply because THEY don't believe in it.
Brenden Nelson and all yuour syncophants - rack off. Crawl back into your holes and stay there, the lot of you.

In all probability these are not the words of Paul Keating but those of his speech-writer. Few politicans, esp those in Cabinet, write their own material, so giving Keating credit for the proposed new inscription would likely be a misnomer.

Michael,

I feel very strongly about this.

No wording at all should be changed at the War Memorial, How dare they even think this.

The War Memorial is sacrosanct, nothing should be changed, certainly not with words from Keating, who has never fought for anybody, the man means nothing.

Michael it is my strong opinion, that the complete board should be dismissed immediately. Now. Straightaway. No more discussion.

These People, no matter who they are, certainly are not worthy to be the custodians of the War memorial.

I am furious and horrified just thinking about demeaning the intentions of the genuine intentions of the people all that many years ago.

Read it again : God, not the word 'God' , is been replaced here.

The whole issue is pretty simple: it is not about the replacement of the word 'God' carved in the stone : it is about the removal of the faith in the Creator, the total dissasociation of God with the sacrifice of the Australian soldiers by replacing God with some last Century Labor Messiah important speech. I learnt a lot in six years of Labor.

I sent an email to Brendan nelson demanding his resignation. I have received the automatic response which states that "if your email deserves a considered response " I will receive one in 10-14 days. I have responded demanding a response and asking just who it is that makes the decision as to the worth of my email in terms of receiving the respect a person deserves who has taken the time to send and express fury over such poor judgment. What a bunch of bastards

Yes, Michael TDA, it's a rendition in part. The original also implies that there is a God and that he is all knowing, a belief in which most Australians of the WW1 era shared or professed to share. In which case there was an element of comfort in that the dead was known to God, an element of comfort to the bereft that is entirely missing from your rendition which is all about knowledge only. Your impoverished view is just that: bankrupt of feeling and comfort.

Nailed it in one, Eduardo.

No Schultz. That is not what I meant. I have two family members serving in Afghanistan and one who was in Iraq. Also one who served with the Peacekeeping in the Sinai and that is just within the last twenty years or so. What I refer to are those who do not value the service of earlier generations. Mock these feelings if you will, they are honestly held.

Well said, Correllio. Today's revelations mark yet more infamy in Australian public life.

Brendan Nelson and all thirteen men and women of the Council of the AWM dishonour the blood of warriors who went in jeopardy of their lives. (For those who are interested, 2 Samuel 23:17 refers.)

All fourteen are unworthy of the positions of privilege they occupy. Shame on them all.

As to the Prince of Contumely, the less said the better.

I was mystified by the current composition of the AWM Council and looked to the legislation for enlightment. The relevant provision is—
AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL ACT 1980 - SECT 10

Membership of Council
(1) The Council shall consist of:

(a) the Chief of Navy;

(b) the Chief of Army;

(c) the Chief of Air Force; and

(d) not less than 8 nor more than 10 other members.

(2) The members referred to in paragraph (1)(d) shall be appointed by the Governor-General having regard to their knowledge and experience with respect to matters relevant to the functions of the Memorial.

(3) An appointed member:

(a) shall be appointed to be a part-time member; and

(b) holds office for such term, not exceeding 3 years, as is fixed by the Governor-General in the instrument of his or her appointment.

(4) The performance of the functions, or the exercise of the powers, of the Council is not affected by reason only of there being a vacancy or vacancies in the membership of the Council.

(5) The appointment of a person as an appointed member is not invalidated, and shall not be called in question, by reason of a defect or irregularity in, or in connection with, his or her appointment.

It is immediately apparent that firstly the ex officio appointees are a distinct minority on the Council and secondly that there is no guarantee of representatives from what might be considered relevant and appropriate ex–service organisations.

IMO there is a need to replace the 'captain's picks' appointments with ex officio appointments. I suggest consideration of the following:
•WO–N, RSM–A, and WOFF–AF
•ADF Chaplains to represent the three forces and and major denominations
•one or more general veterans organisations such as RSL
•organisations representing specific conflicts such as VVA
•nominee of the Minister administering the act (a departmental officer not a 'mate')
•representatives of historical, conservatorial, archives, etc organisations.

Would I be correct in saying that the words would not only have to be changed at the Australian War Memorial but on every place all over the world where there is a memorial to our WW1 diggers at a huge and pointless expense? Very badly thought out plan and typical of the grandstanding of Labor and their sycophants.

I have never seen active service, nor have any of my family other than one cousin, yet I too am scandalised that the war memorial is administered by anyone other than people with direct links to the armed services. There is no place, in my opinion, for anyone not so connected to serve on the Board. Period.

The proposal to remove the words "Known unto God" has been abandoned - Tony Abbott has had a word

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/policy/word-of-god-lives-on-unknown-soldiers-tomb-in-war-memorial/story-e6frg8yo-1226748567904

There are no atheists when the shells are bursting and the bullets flying

Your letter sums up the issue very well.

Keating is the last person who should be associated with the War Memorial. He thinks the only true Australian soldiers were those that fought from Kokoda onwards to defend Australia. Before then (WW1 and Europe to 1942) our soldiers were just misguided cannon fodder used up to satisfy Britain's imperialist ambitions.

Suggestion that a CC is also sent to Senator Michael Ronaldson ( [email protected] ) when communicating with Brendan Nelson

I was appalled that Brendan Nelson agreed to change significant words that have helped so many for so long. Shame on you Dr.Nelson. The Prime Minister has done the right thing because he knows the sacrifices made in WW1 & WW2 are greater than us.

I looked up in Trove my family again today - more comes online all the time. I'd like to share this, from the Hamilton Spectator, without identifying the names. We were lucky our men were not unknown. Always God mattered for the family. What is written in this report was written with love - it was about the time of the Battle of Menin Gate - September 1917. I wonder if Dr. Nelson has ever really read any obits or news reports of heartbreak. Who else could help the families at that time but their Faith in their God?

"The Late Private E. E.
Mrs. R K of Kitchener St Hamilton has received the following letter from Captain W.L. Archer describing the death of her brother Private E.E. who was wounded on September 28 1917 and died the same day, and was buried on September 29. The letter is written from the 3rd. Canadian Casualty Clearing Station and reads as follows - ""You will have had the very sad news of the death of Private E. He came to this hospital on September 28 (1917) very badly wounded in the head and quite unconscious and in spite of all that could be done, he lived only a very short time. We have laid his body in our cemetery where a cross will mark his grave. He had been serving with the 2nd Field Ambulance and gave his life bravely in doing his bit for his comrades and his country. I trust he has found in God's paradise a peace more perfect than earth can give after his faithful (not decipherable) here."" Mrs.K has also received a letter from Private Fred C offering his sympathy and stating that he was with Private E when he was wounded. They were in an exposed position in an old trench when a shell burst in our midst wounding several of the (indecipherable)and Private E and (???) eventually died. Private C said "E was very well liked and respected by all who knew him and his funeral was attended by all the staff and (???) and was one of the largest funerals that has taken place in the field. The writer related how he had made a Cross for the grave and that the late soldier's comrades had (indecipherable - could be- made and laid a wreath (?? more unreadable) for the funeral."

Educated in the right sense is who we need in the government jobs. Our PM has done the right thing because he 'gets it.'

OK, that's pretty good (but it could be said of anyone, is my criticism).

Correct ... and the same bias underscored much of what Gillard stood for.

WTF?
How do any of those changes improve upon what exists?
And what kind of vainglorious director thinks he should rewrite history?

It occurred to me recently it would have been a great centenary of Anzac project for the government to have put out a bit of money to restore the nation's war memorials - just about every country town has one, built in the '20s, and on just about all of them the brass is losing its sheen, the marble its lustre, and worse, the names of the fallen have eroded on some of them.

I see why it didn't occur to the director of the national memorial, though - too busy thinking of ways to de-glorify god and glorify himself.

gillard appointed fitz a hole

abott remove him now please. and take nelson with him