Jason Falinski (Mackellar, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Of course there is disruption, because they can't hear the truth. They have to disrupt it because the truth is that this government, on behalf of the Australian people, on behalf of a grateful nation, has invested record amounts of money in veteran welfare and has invested record amounts of money in our defence forces. The first job of any government is the security and safety of its people so that the people of Australia can know, when they go to bed at night, that their government has done everything it possibly can to ensure their safety and security. That is what sacrifice is. That is what service is. It's not just talking about whatever your largest donor wants you to talk about.

Every day, ADF members are protecting our borders and natural resources; providing humanitarian relief and disaster relief; assisting in recovery efforts; and contributing to regional stability. This is worth noting in this House. They're being snidely attacked by those opposite because those opposite would prefer to talk about a royal commission, labour hire and, of course, privatisation. The ADF represents a modern, inclusive and diverse workforce, with an incredible array of high-tech, innovative and challenging full-time and part-time roles. Diversity in Defence means respect for individual difference. It means valuing and using the unique knowledge, skills and attributes that our people bring to their work. These are the things that we should be focusing on, rather than defending our serving men and women from the attacks of those opposite.

The nature of military service has a significant difference to civilian employment, with unique demands and sacrifices both from ADF members and from their families. Family moves are regular, their sacrifice sometimes seemingly random, and they do this because they put their fellow Australians before themselves. Demands of the ADF are not only limited to national security and regional stability; they are about our safety and our security.

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