Nicolle Flint (Boothby, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last week I spent three days at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia on the Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Program. I visited the Air Warfare Centre, the RAAF Institute of Aviation Medicine, No. 92 Wing, the Defence Innovation Hub, No. 3 Security Forces Squadron RAAF, No. 1 Remote Sensor Unit, No. 24 (City of Adelaide) Squadron and the 1st Armoured Regiment and the 7th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment.

Here I met highly dedicated and professional men and women who protect our security and safety. They explained, in patient detail, the nature of their work, equipment, roles and capabilities, and they did so with confidence and professionalism. These men and women are a credit to our nation, and today I want to thank them for their service and thank their families for supporting them to serve.

I also want to encourage my colleagues who have not participated in the parliamentary program to do so. You will have the experience of a lifetime! You will better understand what we're asking our men and women to do, and the equipment with which we are asking them to do it. You will meet wonderful people, like my host, Wing Commander Glenn Orton, who—for a Ford man—was a pretty good bloke, even if he still regrets selling his amazing 1980 XD Falcon. Glenn, supported by Ms Kim Gibbons, who has spent 38 years serving our Defence Force in various roles, were so welcoming.

Colleagues: all of this awaits you. If you haven't already, sign up to the Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Program today!