Today, on 15 August 2025, Australians will mark the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Pacific (VP) Day, commemorating the end of the Second World War in the Pacific and honouring the service and sacrifice of more than one million Australians who served during the conflict.
Eighty years ago, on 15 August 1945, Japan’s surrender marked the official end of the Second World War in the Pacific. For Australia, this brought an end to a direct threat to our shores and concluded a conflict that profoundly shaped our national identity and international outlook.
From the outbreak of war in September 1939, more than one million Australians served across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Merchant Navy. By early 1942, Australia was no longer a distant observer. The war had reached our doorstep. The fall of Singapore, the bombing of Darwin, and Japanese submarines in Sydney Harbour made the threat all too real.
The Battle of Kokoda became an enduring symbol of Australian tenacity and sacrifice. At Milne Bay, Australian forces achieved the first decisive defeat of Japanese troops on land. In Borneo, New Guinea, and Bougainville, Australians endured long and costly campaigns to drive back the enemy.
The war forged closer ties with the United States and helped define our evolving role in the Asia-Pacific region.
Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs paid tribute to the almost 40,000 Australians who lost their lives during the Second World War, including approximately 17,000 in the Pacific.
“Victory in the Pacific Day is not only a recognition of military success, but also a solemn remembrance of sacrifice, service, and resilience. It is a day to reflect on the courage of those who served and the enduring impact of their actions on the peace and freedoms we enjoy today.
“We lost almost 40,000 Australians, thousands more were wounded, and around 30,000 became prisoners of war, many held in brutal conditions.
“Australia’s wartime experience helped shape a national identity founded on endurance, mateship, loyalty, and courage under fire.
“Japan’s surrender on 15 August 1945 was met with celebration, but also with deep and lasting remembrance.
“The story of those who served is not only found in the victories they achieved, but in the peace they secured and the enduring values they passed on. Values that continue to define who we are as Australians.”
The Coalition affirms its commitment to honour the fallen, support the living, and ensure their stories are never forgotten.
Lest we forget.
