Menzies: Vietnam War

This is a segment from the Parliamentary debate in 1965 concerning Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War. Prime Minister Robert Menzies makes the case for joining the US in fighting the Communist North Vietnamese.

Australia's involvement began in 1962 with a team of 30 military advisors. On 29 April 1965, the prime minister announced that the government had received a request for further military assistance from South Vietnam.

Australia committed around 60,000 soldiers for the duration of the war, the last of which were not withdrawn until 1972.

The Vietnam War was highly controversial and led to a vocal anti-war movement in Australia in response to the government's conscription programme.