Kelly Hoare (Charlton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I draw the minister’s attention to a statement he just made where he referred to the member for Barton having ‘taken a much more active interest in what has happened in East Timor than perhaps the average everyday Australian whom we all represent’. I want to bring the minister’s attention to some average everyday Australians whom I represent who are taking a very keen interest in what is happening in East Timor. They happen to be very good friends of mine—Bruce and Lyn Boyd. Bruce is our local police sergeant at Toronto. All of their three children are in the Navy. Brendan is on the Parramatta, Michelle is on the Melbourne and Michael is on the Manoora. The minister’s decision about East Timor not being declared a war-like zone has an impact on pay levels and conditions, and on whether or not a member of the ADF will be entitled to an active service medal and be eligible to join the RSL when they return from particular service. Bruce sent me an email asking me to explain something to him which I could not explain. I take this opportunity to ask the minister to explain to my dear friend, who writes:

Kel,

Please explain to me this.

When Brendan went to the Persian Gulf in October 05 the war was over. But it’s still regarded as a war zone and rightly so. But according to Mr Bush the war was won. Supposedly some form of law and order prevails in Iraq even with the suicide bombings going on each day. There are still relatively safe zones within the country and with Baghdad itself. This is probably because the ADF with their coalition partners are attempting to STOP THE VIOLENCE AND BRING SOME TYPE OF ORDER TO THE NATION OF IRAQ.

When Michael went to East Timor May 06 all law and order had broken down. Police officers and civilians were being murdered by the army and other ethnic groups and no-one was available to stop it. So in come the ADF. No law, total civil disobedience, armed offenders all about the place and no place safe to hide. Their job is very simply to STOP THE VIOLENCE AND RE-ESTABLISH SOME TYPE OF ORDER TO THE NATION OF EAST TIMOR.

It seems like one of those cartoons where you have to spot the differences. I must be missing the point. I can’t see the difference.

Mr Howard’s work choices legislation takes away entitlement from the workers of this nation. Perhaps this is just his militarised version of INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS.

All I can say is it’s a disgusting decision.

Bruce

To put this family and personal issue into context, he is now considering applying for a position as an administrative sergeant in East Timor. I am sure that Lyn and I and all of his other good friends will try to talk him out of that. Here is a whole family who give their service to the protection of us all.

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