Matt Burnell (Spence, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Earlier today the member for Menzies and I, as co-chairs of the Parliamentary Friends of Veterans, met with Stryker South Pacific veterans association. Stryker is a medical tech company based in Sydney and formed its veterans association chapter roughly two years ago here in Australia with the help of 30 employees who are either veterans themselves or the spouse of a veteran, or someone currently serving. It is so important to have companies like Stryker help veterans transition into civilian life, giving our brave men and women a new mission to focus on in an environment that looks to replicate the camaraderie of the Defence Force. It is fantastic to hear that Stryker has partnered with Soldier On and other organisations helping veterans transition.

Thank you to the whole team for taking the time today to speak to us about what matters to you—especially Laura, for sharing your very moving experience of your transition to civvy street. It was a fantastic opportunity to learn a little bit more about just how difficult it is, when your service is over—helping our nation and protecting our nation—going into a new walk of life on civilian street and finding that new spark that lights you up and gives you purpose. So thank you very much to Stryker for your time today.