Jane Prentice (Ryan, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Christmas is fast approaching and now is the time for us to think about those who have not got the opportunity to join in celebrations, particularly those men and women who are serving with our defence forces overseas. They are unable to be with their family at this very special time and, indeed, most of them will miss Christmas. The school students in my electorate, like the school students up in the gallery from the electorate of Lindsay, are very excited because they are preparing a very special card and they are writing in that card a message for the serving troops. I encourage my colleagues on both sides to do something similar so that the troops overseas can decorate their accommodation, where they are staying and deployed to give them a memory of home.

I would encourage everyone to send a care package. The closing date for this year is 8 December. I encourage people to have some innovative ideas—not just the Twisties, the Tim Tams and the Vegemite, which I am sure are still very popular. I would also encourage them to do something like my CWA branch did, who, mindful of the cold temperatures in the Middle East at this time of year, knitted balaclavas and scarves for them. I encourage everyone to be involved. Contact your local federal member, and they will help you think about the troops representing and serving Australia overseas this Christmas.