The Howard Government’s road works at Anzac Cove led to significant sites of the ANZAC campaign being lost forever, according to the Senate inquiry into Anzac Cove which reported today.

The inquiry found “Australian authorities and the Australian Government were complacent in their response to allegations and evidence that this damage was occurring”. The Howard Government was asleep at the wheel while our heritage was damaged forever.

The Howard Government’s complacency continues to this day. In their minority report, Government Senators state “the Howard Government has, at all times, acted appropriately and correctly.”

This is an extraordinary statement given the Government requested the road works then failed to properly monitor the project.

This complacency now threatens other elements of our Anzac heritage.

Further road work upgrades are planned for Anzac Cove, but the Government has already dismissed calls by the Senate inquiry for “remedial action before the onset of winter to stabilise and restore the vegetation at Anzac Cove”.

The Prime Minister promised to make Anzac Cove the first listing on the National Heritage List.

On 18 December 2003, John Howard said:

“It seems to me … entirely appropriate that the Anzac site at Gallipoli should represent the first nomination for inclusion on the National Heritage List. And, although it’s not on Australian territory, anyone who has visited the place will know that once you go there you feel it as an Australian as the piece of land on which your home is built.”

Instead of listing Anzac Cove, he requested road works which damaged the site forever.