Tony Zappia (Makin, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yesterday, I attended the 25th anniversary lunch of the Para District sub-branch of the National Servicemen's Association SA Branch, a sub-branch that I have been honoured to have been patron of since its inception in 1999. Between 1951 and 1972, some 287,000 young men were called up for compulsory training in the Australian Army, Air Force or Navy. Of them, more than 63,000 were conscripted into the regular Army and over 19,500 served in Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Borneo and Vietnam. Of the 15,300 who served in Vietnam, sadly, 210 lost their lives, and another two were killed in active service in Borneo. As has been highlighted time and again, military service is life-changing for so many who serve.

Today's reports about the royal commission into veteran suicide that revealed there were more than 1,600 suicides of Defence veterans between 1997 and the year 2020 highlights that we must better support our veterans. The Veterans' Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Bill 2024, currently before the parliament, is a welcome step that will simplify and harmonise the claims processing for veterans, which has been one of the real difficulties for them.

As the years have passed, our Nashos are ageing, and too many have passed away. For many, their military service also took its toll on their wellbeing. All too often, their claims for support were rejected, and claims processing was very difficult and sometimes demoralising. But through their National Servicemen's Associations, they have often found the friendship, support and understanding that has helped them get through their own individual struggles. As someone who has been associated with them for the past 25 years, I have seen many of those struggles firsthand, and I have watched them age. Some of them are still trying to pursue claims that they initiated years ago.

Having attended their 25th anniversary luncheon yesterday, I once again saw them come together and support each other. I say thank you to the Nashos who have served our country. Thank you for your service to our nation. Thank you for supporting one another, particularly when you were going through difficult times in your lives, and thank you for the many friendships that I have personally made through this association. For me, it has been a privilege to have been associated with the Para District sub-branch for the past 25 years and to have been their patron.

Marion Scrymgour (Lingiari, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In accordance with standing order 193, the time for member constituency statements has concluded.