Julian Leeser (Berowra, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

SER () (): by leave—At the request of the member for Stirling, I move:

That this House:

(1) recognises the benefits a career in the Australian Defence Force provides through skills, education, training and experience;

(2) notes:

(a) the Australian Defence Force’s objective to protect Australia and that those recruited to deliver on this objective put their lives on the line for our country;

and (b) that Defence recruits the best and brightest and offers varying pathways for individuals to join and serve our nation; and

(3) acknowledges the sacrifice our personnel and their families make for a career in the Australian Defence Force and our nation’s eternal gratitude for all those who have served past and present.

As the great-grandson of a Gallipoli ANZAC who also took part in the charge of the light horse at Beersheba and the grandson of a Changi POW who served on the Burma railway, I'm pleased to speak about the contribution of Australia's Defence personnel.

Australia's military tradition predates the Australian nation: claim your forces fought in the Boxer Rebellion, the Sudan and at the Boer War. The Australian Defence Force is one of the iconic institutions in our national life. Australians salute and respect the ADF, its personnel and its veterans.

Some of the most important defining moments in our national life and our culture relate to the service exploits and victories and, yes, defeats, of the Australian Defence Force—places like Gallipoli, Beersheba, the Somme, Ypres, Passchendaele, Bullecourt, Fromelles, Pozieres, Villers Bretonneux, Tobruk, Benghazi, El Alamein, Greece, Crete, Kokoda, Rabaul, Darwin, the Coral Sea, Milne Bay, Borneo, Korea, Malaya, Long Tan, Nui Dat, Kuwait, Somalia, Bougainville, East Timor, Kandahar, Uruzgan and Tarin Kowt, are etched on our nation's consciousness.

Great commanders like Sir John Monash, Sir Thomas Blamey and Sir Peter Cosgrove became national heroes and household names. A hundred and one Australians have been awarded Victoria Crosses, including people like Sir Roden Cutler, Albert Jacka, Keith Payne and Mark Donaldson.

Around 102,000 Australians have made the supreme sacrifice in all wars and 226,000 have been wounded. Over 34,000 have been taken prisoners. At the last Defence census, around 60,000 people were serving in the ADF and about 17,000 in the reserves. Latest figures reveal that 19.7 per cent of ADF personnel are women and about 25 per cent of Navy and Air Force and 15 per cent in the Army, although the Army has the largest number of women in real terms.

These people carry on the tradition of their forebears and their service represents the highest ideals of Australian citizenship. Every country needs a defence force of people who are prepared to lay down their lives for their fellow citizens. Defence service is a huge ask of any country of its citizens. Therefore as civilians we must be grateful to those prepared to serve and respect their service and sacrifice.

Given the recent withdrawal from Afghanistan, I wanted to acknowledge over the last 20 years some 39,000 men and women of the ADF who have served along with diplomats, police officers, aid workers, civil officials and, of course, Afghan coalition military partners from more than 50 countries. I also want to acknowledge the 41 ADF members who made the supreme sacrifice, including Trooper Jason Brown from my electorate.

The mission of the ADF today is to defend Australia and its national interests and to advance Australia's security and prosperity. Every day ADF personnel defend our values and the Australian way of life, supporting humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts, and assisting in recovery efforts.

In that regard, I want to place on record my thanks to ADF personnel who came to the aid of communities on the Hawkesbury River earlier this year following the floods. The presence of the ADF brought confidence and hope to communities whose homes and livelihoods had been decimated. Let me again thank the personnel from the 5th Brigade Infantry Company of the ADF, led by Major Mark Whitfield, for their leadership of the rescue and recovery effort.

The ADF officers' extensive training to its members is essential to a modern defence force. The ADF offers nationally recognised qualifications and varying entry options like the Australian Defence Force Academy and Defence university scholarships. Reservists also receive world-class training in leadership, communication, problem-solving, combined with great benefits, including a tax-free salary.

Military service has significant differences from civilian employment, and there are unique demands and sacrifices required both of ADF members and of their families. I want to acknowledge not only the service of ADF personnel but also the sacrifice by their families. Family relocations are regular, sometimes with limited notice, and they can be stressful. Partners' careers may be interrupted, with a commensurate loss of income, and with impacts on child care and schooling. These factors are perhaps too rarely acknowledged, and I'm pleased to be able to salute defence family members as well.

I wanted to conclude with some words about current Australian defence policy. In September the Prime Minister, the President of the United States and Prime Minister Johnson of the United Kingdom announced the new AUKUS trilateral security partnership. AUKUS will see Australia and the other nations share more information in intelligence; foster greater integration of security and defence-related science technology, industrial bases and supply chains; and strengthen our cooperation in advanced and critical technologies. The first major initiative of AUKUS is to support Australia's acquisition of nuclear powered subs. Our trilateral efforts will enhance our joint capabilities and interoperability, with an initial focus on cybercapabilities, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and additional undersea capabilities.

We are living in increasingly uncertain times both at home and abroad, and I want to thank the ADF for their service in such challenging times: we salute what you do.

Darren Chester (Gippsland, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is the motion seconded?

Julian Simmonds (Ryan, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I second the motion and reserve my right to speak.

Darren Chester (Gippsland, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the motion be agreed to.

Meryl Swanson (Paterson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to speak in support of the member for Stirling's motion, which recognises the benefits of a career in the Australian Defence Force; the importance of recruiting the best and the brightest to serve our country; and the sacrifice—sometimes the ultimate sacrifice—made by those who do serve and have served our country.

RAAF Base Williamtown is in my electorate of Paterson. I've visited it many times over the last nearly six years since I was elected and, indeed, I lived on the base for the ADF parliamentary program for a week, and last week the shadow minister for defence, Brendan O'Connor, came to visit and inspect the Williamtown RAAF base. I've also had the honour of visiting my local defence cadet squadron, the Maitland squadron, and I've been really impressed when I've been invited to inspect the parade and seen the skill of the fine young people that enrol and enlist in cadets.

The ADF Cadets program is a wonderful personal development program for our young people, and there are more than 28,000 cadets Australia-wide across Navy, Air Force and Army units. In undertaking challenging and disciplined activities and programs in the cadets, these young people develop the capacity to contribute to society as individuals, as members of a team and, importantly, as leaders. They also develop a spirit of civic participation, and they develop the character that comes from service, which is really vital in today's world. Importantly, cadets also fosters an interest in defence careers, and it is vital that we do attract our best and brightest to a career in defence.

On the world stage, when we are moving to shore up our defence capabilities, I want to highlight some of the things that stand in steep contrast to the wonderful work and leadership of our best and brightest young cadets, and they are, most sadly, our Prime Minister's diplomatic failures, particularly and most recently with the French. Young people often get into trouble for breaking up with someone, or leaving a job, via text. How about one of the most important diplomatic messages being sent by text? That was certainly clumsy. It was certainly costly. But, most importantly, to many Australians it was incredibly deceitful, coming from a prime minister. He further embarrassed the nation in Glasgow.

Then there's China—another relationship the government must work hard to repair. In our region, we face the most difficult strategic circumstances since the end of World War II. Our region is being reshaped, in large part by the strategic competition between the US and China. We have a role to play in that reshaping, one that requires diplomacy and strategy far beyond the bungling of our present Prime Minister. We need to work with the US, the UK and our regional partners to demonstrate that we are serious about regional stability, and that is not just about military power but also about economic power and the health of our region, including the timely access to vaccines and the charting of a course out of this pandemic.

At home, the Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans Suicide is about to get underway. After dragging its heels for two years, the Morrison government finally agreed in July to hold this royal commission. The very need for a royal commission is an admission that, as a nation, we are letting down our defence personnel and our veterans. Labor has long campaigned for this royal commission, and it is vital that the commissioners hear from the people who are central to this issue: serving personnel, veterans and, really importantly, their families, who've lived it all. Alarmingly, rates of suicide among veterans are higher than among the general population. Among male veterans, who make up the vast majority, the rate is 22 per cent higher. Among female veterans, who are in a minority, the rate is a staggering 127 per cent higher.

While the royal commission is long overdue and welcome, the government should not wait for it to conclude to make these long overdue reforms.

Julian Simmonds (Ryan, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise in strong support of the member for Stirling's motion and acknowledge his distinguished service to this nation in uniform before entering the parliament. Serving in our country's Defence Force is a selfless act, and we ought to acknowledge those among us who have dedicated themselves and continue to dedicate themselves to our nation as part of the ADF, whether that be through full-time service or in the local reserves.

My electorate of Ryan has a strong military presence, as I've spoken about often in this place. It's home to the Australian Army's Gallipoli Barracks at Enoggera, and there are many families across Australia that relocate to the Ryan electorate as a result of being posted to the Gallipoli Barracks during their years of service, which can be a difficult move for many. It's quite a sought-after posting, I have to say, because you don't get too many large Army barracks centrally located in a major city, and many choose to remain there with their families. As so many defence families would attest, it is a great place to live, work and raise a family, and I'm humbled as I hear many stories from defence families who feel so welcome in our community.

Australia has a proud military heritage and it continues to attract the best and brightest among us, as it should, to serve the nation and contribute to the rich military history that we share with our region. Our unique defence pathways continue to attract young men and women from across Australia who want to go above and beyond in serving our nation. The Morrison government will continue to back our defence pathways and encourage young Australians to get involved. Recently, the Morrison government committed $11.5 million to upgrade the Enoggera Health Centre within the Gallipoli Barracks in my electorate of Ryan. This will develop the existing facilities and provide service men and women with the care that they need. It is these kinds of practical upgrades that support our defence men and women and ensure they are prepared to defend our nation.

I also want to acknowledge, as did the contributor before me in this debate, the Australian Defence Force Cadets and the pivotal role they play in developing our young men and women and encouraging them to join the ADF. Earlier in the year I had the privilege of being joined by Assistant Minister Hastie, who is, of course, a former member of the Defence Force, to launch the Brookfield cadet unit in the electorate. There has been strong interest from my local community in developing another cadet unit. There's already one located at the Enoggera Barracks, but it has a significant number of young people on the waiting list. The Morrison government's commitment of $100,000 a year to start the new Brookfield cadet unit will mean more local families on the other side of the electorate will have an opportunity to join the cadets. The cadets, of course, play a vital role in teaching young people leadership and resilience, skills that are useful and important not only in the ADF but in life.

Being home to the Gallipoli Barracks and to a number of military families, my electorate of Ryan also has many veterans support groups and RSLs located within it. These play a vital role in supporting local veterans and their families.

Many of us in this House would understand the difficulties of being away from family and friends for prolonged periods of time, and it is much the same for our veterans—albeit worse if you're on operations. Whether they are posted overseas or across Australia, members of our ADF are often away from their families for extended periods of time. The other night I was speaking to a senior naval officer, who mentioned that their two years of shore leave had been cut short. They had had one year of shore leave, and now they're back out on operations. It's a story that's repeated many times across the ADF. As their skills are in demand, they're sent out again away from their families to serve our nation. But they do it with great fortitude.

I want to particularly pay tribute to the Picabeen Community Association in Mitchelton, who last year were awarded nearly $270,000, as part of the Morrison government's Family Support Funding Program, to help with their targeted programs in engaging with the local defence community and their families. It's a wonderful program that I'd like to see more funding go towards, and I'll continue to advocate for them.

Recently the Gaythorne RSL was awarded over $45,000 to upgrade their facility and further enhance the valuable role they have in the local community, serving as advocates to support our veterans.

The BEST grants have also enabled the Moggill Historical Society in my electorate to publish their very own book, bringing to life stories of Moggill's World War II heroes. I had the privilege contributing to the forward of the book, and I wish the Moggill Historical Society the best of luck with its publication.

Fiona Phillips (Gilmore, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am pleased to have this opportunity to talk about the wonderful tradition defence plays in my electorate of Gilmore. I'm proud to say the New South Wales South Coast is home to HMAS Albatross and HMAS Creswell. HMAS Albatross, based at Nowra, is the Royal Australian Navy's air station, home to the Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm. HMAS Creswell is the Navy's officer training school, on the shores of Jervis Bay. HMAS Albatross has been an integral part of the Nowra community for nearly 75 years. With around 1,300 personnel on base, its local importance cannot be overstated.

I am committed to working with the government and the Navy to grow defence jobs in our local area: jobs that have opportunities within aviation, joining a team that includes pilots, ground support crew or the engineers and technicians that keep our technologically-advanced aircraft safe and air worthy; jobs that look after the wellbeing of ADF personnel, such as doctors, nurses, dentists, psychologists, scientists or chaplains; jobs that provide choices from a wide variety of trades, ranging from electronics, mechanics and carpentry to cooking and plumbing—all with good pay, mateship and job security in what could be the most rewarding job a young or mature Australian could ever undertake.

I mention young Australians especially with regard to the gap year opportunity that is also available. I encourage all year 12 graduates, perhaps still pondering their next step, to consider spending an exciting 12 months in the Navy, Army or Air Force. You'll get paid for a gap year of meaningful work, while travelling around Australia gaining skills and making lifelong friends.

Proudly, in current times, are the equal opportunities provided across all roles—promotion and recognition based on your personal abilities and attributes. The Australian Defence Force offers excellent career opportunities for women. When we talk about the outstanding contribution of women to the Australian Defence Force, I can't help but talk again of HMAS Albatross. The commanding officer of the base is Captain Robyn Phillips. Captain Phillips was appointed to the role in December 2019, having joined the Royal Australian Navy as a seaman officer in 1990 and graduating from the Australian Defence Force Academy in 1992. Preceding Captain Phillips in 2017, HMAS Albatross made history with its first-ever female commanding officer, Captain Fiona Sneath.

Within any conversation regarding personnel, however, we need to also speak of the spouses and families and the less visible sacrifices that are made when supporting a career in the Australian Defence Force.

Go to top click save turn I would like to bring to the attention of the House the name of Beck Rayner, a Nowra woman and presenter of the Military Wife Life podcast. Her webpage reads:

I've been living this oh-so-complicated but beautiful life for 19 years.

Yep, you heard me. 19 years of packing and unpacking, leaving friends and making friends, living with my military guy and living apart. 19 years of all the ups and downs and crazy turns that is military life.

What a journey! The podcast celebrates, empowers and embraces the spouses behind the military members. Beck is passionate about building connections with Defence families in the Shoalhaven region and around the country. Podcast episodes talk to matters of support—spouses supporting spouses in their mutual military life. I recommend the podcast and the insights it provides. For Australian Defence Force personnel especially, you will be reassured you are not alone when dealing with matters of support.

The benefit of having HMAS Albatross and HMAS Creswell in the Gilmore community is profound. Defence personnel and their families and children are totally embedded in our community. I am committed to working with the government and the Navy to grow Defence jobs in our local area.

Melissa McIntosh (Lindsay, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Along the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea, on the memorial at Isurava, at the summit overlooking the valley below, there are four values inscribed on the pillars: courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice. These are the four values of leadership entrenched by the Anzacs, embodied by the heroes of Kokoda, which live on in the men and women of the Australian Defence Force today. There is a long and proud history of service in the ADF that is felt in communities and families across our country, including in my electorate of Lindsay.

A few weeks ago we marked Remembrance Day, a solemn day of reflection for our country, as we remember the service and sacrifice of the 102,000 Australians who have lost their lives in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping missions. We also recognise those who returned home to Australia, from theatres of war all around the world, bearing physical and emotional burdens. I commemorated Remembrance Day with our community at Memory Park in Penrith.

One name marked on the memorial is that of Private William Starling. Private Starling was born in Penrith. He went to the local public school, was a member of the local rifle club and worked at the Penrith Post Office. He enlisted in 1915 and sailed to Egypt for training before his battalion was deployed to Pozieres, on the Western Front, in France. Pozieres was a strategically important position due to the advantage of the high ground to launch offensives. Australians captured Pozieres on 23 July 1916 and were subjected to relentless artillery bombardment. Private Starling was wounded the following day and died from his injuries, at 19 years of age. Private Starling was one of 6,800 Australians who were killed at or died of wounds from the Battle of Pozieres. Like so many others and so many to follow, Private Starling exhibited the values marked on the Kokoda Trail: the courage to travel to distant lands in conflict and fight for Australia; the endurance to be pushed to the limits and to keep going; the mateship, the spirit of camaraderie, that defined the Anzacs; and the sacrifice for our country.

The Prime Minister recently joined me at the St Mary's Vietnam Veterans Outpost for a community morning tea with some of our local veterans and members of our community. A big part of the St Mary's outpost and why it means so much to local people and families is how it keeps people connected. Overcoming restrictions and lockdowns has been incredibly challenging, but they have continued to provide extraordinary advocacy and, importantly, mental health services for their members, to ensure they're getting the best support, particularly when many people felt very alone. It was wonderful to see people gathering together in person again at the St Mary's outpost, a testament to the hard work of our community going out and getting vaccinated. I send a special shout-out to the president of the outpost, Sam Vecchio, who works so hard for every single veteran in our community. It was a wonderful barbecue that we put on for the PM, with lots of sausages, eggs and bacon, which he enjoyed very much as he had breakfast with our community just last week.

From our veterans to our local cadets, Lindsay has a strong, proud and ongoing commitment to the service of our nation and respect for our ADF. The ADF's contribution to shaping our environment—

Darren Chester (Gippsland, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! It being 7.30, I regret to inform the Federation Chamber that the time allotted for this debate has expired. I thank the member for Lindsay. I acknowledge that the member for Solomon was about to speak, and I thank him for his service to our nation. The debate is adjourned, and the resumption of the debate will be made in order of the day for the next sitting.

Anne Webster (Mallee, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Federation Chamber do now adjourn.

Question agreed to.

Federation Chamber adjourned at 19:30