Harry Quick (Franklin, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

As a member of the Speaker’s panel I have the privilege of listening to many speeches, both here in the Main Committee and also in the House. Whilst some of them are less than interesting, I had the privilege of being here in the Main Committee to hear an absolutely amazing speech by the member for Cowan, Graham Edwards—his speech on this bill. I would recommend it to all members and to the wider public. The Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (2007 Measures No. 1) Bill 2007 is not an exceptional bill. It is one where there are minor changes to the veterans affairs act, but it does give those of us who are really interested in veterans affairs an opportunity to speak on issues that we see as relevant to the veteran community. As most of us would know, we have recently had a budget and there have been announcements made in the budget by this government affecting veterans of all ages and of all services. Like all other members and senators, I imagine, I have been bombarded by emails about just how effective these budget measures are and whether they go far enough to actually address some of the concerns.

I think it is incumbent on us who serve in this place to keep veterans issues front and centre and not just raise them at Anzac Day or Remembrance Day on 11 November. I am the oldest member of the Australian Labor Party and I am probably 21 sitting days away from leaving this place. I think sadly the links between politicians and active war service are almost nonexistent. Graham Edwards, as I said, the member for Cowan, soon to depart the House, is I think the only former serviceman in the place. The PM and I are the only members of the House who had fathers who served at Gallipoli and we are joined by Stewart McArthur, the member for Corangamite, as the only members of this place to have fathers also serve on the Western Front. I am not sure how many members of the House had parents serving in subsequent campaigns. They certainly are not all that keen to acknowledge it and raise it in debates on veterans issues. I know I am proudly espousing Dad’s service and what the veterans department has done for him and also Mum, who was a war widow.

I brought along today my photo album, which is rather unusual. Seeing that I am really interested in Dad’s service in the First World War, especially the battle of Fromelles, I was over there on 19 July 2006 for the 90th anniversary, and I visited the cemeteries. As you tour around the Somme area in northern France you see all these little wonderful cemeteries—Rue Petillon, Le Trou Aid Post Cemetery, VC Corner cemetery in the Fromelles area. At the entrance to all these cemeteries there is engraved on a stone plinth: ‘Their name liveth forevermore’. We do pay homage to them. But, once they get home, sadly, they tend to be forgotten. I say that most sincerely.

I would imagine that most members in this place have their share of DVA veterans giving them a bit of a hard time. The ministers whom I have worked with since I have been here include Danna Vale, Bruce Billson, De-Anne Kelly, Con Sciacca—and who can ever forget his Australia Remembers effort in 1995.

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