Julian Simmonds (Ryan, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to affirm my support for veterans. Ryan is home to the Gallipoli Barracks and almost 8,000 serving personnel. We are also home to many former serving personnel who have chosen to stay on and live in our wonderful community of Ryan after finishing their service. We have close to 2,500 veterans in our community, and we are so lucky to have them continuing to make a contribution locally, often in a role that directly supports other veterans in our amazing RSLs and local veteran groups. It is a priority for me to make sure that they are well supported. I want to thank them and reaffirm to them that I am listening, that we in the government are listening and that we all in this place are listening.

I want to commend the courage of my colleagues on both sides of the chamber, like the members for Herbert and Braddon, who shared their powerful and incredible stories in this place. Those of us who have not worn the uniform will, I am sure, never truly fully understand the sacrifices made by our serving personnel, but we can commit to helping them in any way we possibly can. We have already put in place measures in this place for free lifetime health care for ADF personnel, immediate income support for those with mental health claims, assistance dogs for veterans with PTSD and expansion of counselling services through Open Arms. We know there is more to do, and we will continue to work for you and with you.

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