Damian Hale (Solomon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The member for Lingiari has asked me whether they win. I did have a very good coaching record prior to taking on that side, but we continue to work hard and improve. I have also met people like Brigadier Michael Krause, Air Commander Ian Meyne, Captain Vaughan Rixon and Anne Bradford, who are all great people and do a fantastic job up there in their respective fields.

It is a pleasure to ask the Minister for Defence about the commitments the Rudd Labor government budget delivers for the Australian Defence Force community because this budget ensures the Australian government’s strong commitment to the Defence Force and, through a significant military presence, also builds the economy of Solomon. The budget is fantastic for local businesses in the Darwin and Palmerston areas because the government will continue to source goods and services from within Solomon, building on the $463 million anticipated expenditure for 2007-08, and will continue funding of both Defence facilities and personnel serving in the Solomon electorate.

This budget shows that the Australian Defence Force families are front and centre this financial year, with government funding programs from child care, to health care, to housing. Through this budget, the government will continue to support employment initiatives for spouses, assistance with housing, relocation, childcare programs, health care, transition to civilian life at the end of a military career and a number of other support services. I know these initiatives will be of great benefit to the fantastic Defence Force personnel and their families who live and work in Solomon. My question is: can the minister detail what initiatives this budget will deliver for the strategically important defence facilities in Solomon?

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