Alannah Mactiernan (Perth, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Western Australians, particularly residents of Albany, have been wholeheartedly embracing the Anzac Centenary events. But they have been increasingly disappointed by decisions made by the federal government and its agencies which diminish the capacity of Western Australia to join in commemorating the centenary.

First there was the decision by the DVA banning horses from participating in the troop march down York Street in Albany on 1 November—a premier event in WA's commemoration calendar. The Australian Light Horse Association National President, Phil Chalker, said it was a disgrace that the home city of the Desert Mounted Corps Memorial would not have horses marching on 1 November. We ask the minister, Senator Ronaldson, to intervene to overturn this poor decision.

Secondly, federal funding cuts have led to the cancelling of a major WWI photo exhibition in Albany, Geraldton, Perth and Kalgoorlie. The minister should restore these funds and allow WA to participate fully. Western Australia, and Albany in particular, played an important part as the final departure place of troops headed for Gallipoli and the site of the first commemorative dawn services.

Western Australians suffer most from the cuts to travelling exhibitions, as we suffer most from the tyranny of distance. Do not make us want to secede yet again.