Tim Wilson (Goldstein, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

A strong Australian Defence Force protects our liberal democratic values that have empowered us to build a free, fair and prosperous nation. It was a pleasure to recently join Senator Van and the member for Nicholls at Puckapunyal to tour the Combined Arms Training Centre and to acknowledge 120 years of service from the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Army. I particularly want to thank the commandant, Colonel David McCammon; the chief of staff; the School of Artillery commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Ben Gray; and the School of Armour commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Mitchel Watson for hosting and showcasing some of the impressive infrastructure that is supporting our modern defence capability.

The Indo-Pacific, our backyard, is now at the centre of rising strategic competition, and, of course, there is the potential for tension in the region. That's why the Morrison government has announced a 10-year $270 million defence strategy to safeguard our sovereignty and aid us in playing an active role in our region's part of global peace and stability.

We want to say thanks: thank you to all those in the defence forces, who do so much every day to support and defend our great nation. And a happy 120 birthday to the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Army. We thank them and all their service men and women and their families for their devoted service and commitment to our country, to keeping us safe and secure now and in the future.

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