Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. As I indicated to the House yesterday, we are making some $38 million available to the War Memorial in this financial year, which is on par with earlier allocations. I am concerned about funding for the War Memorial. Consequently, some time ago, I asked the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs to work with the Minister for Finance and Deregulation and, of course, with the Australian War Memorial itself—its council and leadership—on budget matters and to report back to me. Because I asked for that review some time ago, that review is nearly complete. When the government has that review, we will look at its recommendations and act.

Of course, all Australians want to see the War Memorial properly resourced. I do. That is why I asked quite some time ago for the review and that is why the review will report back to me. Through a proper process of assessing the War Memorial’s needs, we will deal with its budget matters for the future.

See this speech in context