Luke Howarth (Petrie, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence Industry) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Defence Personnel. Can the Minister for Defence Personnel confirm that on 25 August 2022, when speaking to several groups of Navy defence personnel at HMAS Waterhen, he said that they will not be able to buy a home in Sydney whilst they are on defence salaries? The Minister for Defence Personnel, I'm sure, will also remember that in his speech at the Defence Reserves Association 2022 National Conference he said:

We need … to inspire the workforce of the future, increase the number of people joining the ADF, and retain talent to ensure we can deliver Defence's and our nation's capability requirements.

Can the minister for defence personnel, the member for Burt, please explain how his comments on 25 August at HMAS Waterhen inspire defence personnel to remain in the Australian Defence Force? How can his comments attract Australians to join the Defence Force? Did the minister even bother telling these young sailors and Navy personnel about the First Home Super Saver Scheme that he voted against when in opposition, or the first home deposit scheme? Did he encourage them and inspire them like he wanted to, or did he just say to these young sailors, 'On a defence salary, you'll never be able to afford a home in Sydney'? These people were so concerned about it that they rang my office to let me know. I'd love to hear your response on that.

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