In June 1948, after the Malayan Communist Party launched an insurgency against British colonial rule, a state of emergency was declared in Malaya.

Australia's involvement in the Emergency started in 1950, when aircraft and personnel from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) arrived in Singapore.

The Emergency officially ended in 1960, however, Australian forces continued operations against communist forces until 1963.

Personnel from the Navy, Army, and RAAF played a vital role in Malaya.

Australia's involvement in the Malayan Emergency was one of the nation's longest continuing military commitments and tragically the names of 39 Australians are listed on the Australian War Memorial's Roll of Honour.

The Indonesian Confrontation began in 1962 when Indonesian-backed forces launched a coup against the pro-British Sultanate of Brunei.

Australian involvement started in 1964 and, in 1965, along with other Commonwealth troops, they conducted small-scale operations in the thickly forested terrain of Borneo.

As an undeclared war there were sensitivities around the cross-border operations and it received very little coverage in the Australian press.

However, the experiences in the Confrontation informed the conduct of operations in Vietnam.

More than 20 Australians died during the Confrontation.

Open Arms - Veterans and Families Counselling, provides support for current and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families.

Free and confidential help is available 24/7.

Phone 1800 011 046 (international: +61 1800 011 046 or +61 8 8241 4546) or visit www.OpenArms.gov.au

While these two post-Second World War conflicts might not be well-known in the Australian community, the nation is grateful for the actions of those who served.

Thank you for your service, and for the sacrifices made by your families who supported you.

On Malaya and Borneo Veterans' Day, I encourage all Australians to reflect on the service and sacrifice of those who served in the Malayan Emergency and Indonesian Confrontation.

Lest we forget.

Darren Chester MP

Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel

It's obvious why Donald Trump is causing trouble with his talk of mediating in the Kashmir dispute.

He needs to distract attention from his hamfisted attempt to be presidential over the shootings in El Paso and Dayton.

In two and a half years, his technique has become even more obvious.

Tell a lie on one subject, get nailed for it, tell another lie on another subject to make his critics move on, then claim to be the winner of the previous argument.

In short, zip around non-stop and forever like a fly in bottle.

We here in Australia should be extremely proud that the President of the United States sees fit to copy the technique of our very own Tony Abbott.

It's just a pity that Donald Trump can't put a sentence together.

At least Tony Abbott understood grammar and syntax.

Grant Agnew,

Coopers Plain