Luke Gosling (Solomon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Bowman for bringing this forward. He approached me some time ago—years ago—about this issue. It must be said it was in a typically weird way, but, nevertheless, I thought it was something very worthwhile supporting. I got behind it and have been advocating for it since. I thank the member for Blair for his acknowledgement of that.

Before I get into the substance of this motion, I want to make a quick comment about the service at the War Memorial and the Last Post ceremony we have at the start of each parliamentary year. I was frankly disgusted at the level of turnout from politicians, federal members, in this place. There would have been 15, 16 or 17 federal representatives—MPs and senators. There should be four ranks of members of parliament and senators, people who represent Australians, at that one service that kicks off the parliamentary year. It's one hour of your time to acknowledge all those that have laid down their lives for our country before you get on with the rest of the year and the politics and the carry-on. We do important work here, yes, but you only have to give up one hour for that Last Post ceremony to say, 'For this calendar year and our efforts in the parliament, we will remember those that gave their lives for our freedom.'

What it will also do, members in place, when you attend that Last Post ceremony and look up at the tens of thousands of names of those that have gone before us, is remind you to not be so flippant about war. It will remind you that war is a serious business and is paid for in the blood of patriotic men and women of this country. When you launch a pre-election campaign with megaphone diplomacy, talking tough, just remember that this country will always stand up for its values and its principles. We won't take a backwards step. But needless and careless actions and flippant references to war should be thought about deeply. That Last Post ceremony gives all honourable member the opportunity to reflect.

I also want to acknowledge the work of Kerry and Kay Danes in bringing the work that led to the inquiry forward. I served with Kerry for a short time in Timor-Leste. He's a great man who has done a lot, as is his wife, Kay. I worked closely with her to try and get the interpreters of Australian veterans and some of the embassy security guards out in that shambolic withdrawal from Afghanistan. They are good people, as is Andrew Sloan, who does a mountain of work to assist veterans every day. He did a lot of work on this campaign that led to the inquiry that has now given us recommendations. I want to acknowledge and thank Ray and Pam Palmer, who lost their son, Scotty. He was Territory born and bred. He was lost in Afghanistan with the commandos. Ray and Pam have been a big supporter of this push to get some sort of medallic recognition for those who have been either killed in service or injured or wounded in service. It's an important recognition, medallic recognition. As Ray often says, his son's name is up on the War Memorial wall, but it would be nice to have his son's medals that accurately reflect the totality of his service and his sacrifice.

So I encourage the widest possible consultation about the recommendations. The ball's now in the government's court to do that work, and I wish them well in arriving at a good conclusion. As the member for Blair added, the royal commission is in Sydney and holding hearings, and my thoughts, prayers and solidarity are with all involved in that program.

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