Photos: Tony Abbott unveiled Australian Memorial today

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott unveiled the Australian Memorial this morning.

Report and photos by Megan Gattey.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott unveiled the Australian Memorial this morning at the new Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington.

The memorial is a gift from Australia to New Zealand to celebrate shared values, service and sacrifice.

Abbott said, “On the central pillar of this memorial is inscribed one word: ANZAC. We remember Gallipoli.

“We are friends, we are family, as this memorial will always show.

“We always stand together. Even now our armed forces are to work together in Iraq.

“We dedicate this memorial to our future."

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key agreed, saying that the two nations “have a proud history of cooperation in the world’s conflict zones.”

“We always hoped that our closest friend would be the first country to have its own memorial in our park.

“Gallipoli has become synonymous with acts of great courage.”

The event was protested by Peace Action Wellington, who yelled “Warmonger, warmonger, out, out, out” throughout the ceremony.

They waved a flag that read, “Tony Abbott’s Australia NOT the Lucky Country”.

Police escorted the group out after Key’s address.

ENDS

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