Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Centre Alliance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Headstone Project SA is a voluntary organisation that was established in 2017 and is dedicated to locating World War I veterans buried in unmarked graves throughout South Australia. In the last seven years, the Headstone Project has installed 108 headstones and identified a further 413 veterans believed to be resting in unmarked graves. It's estimated that there are at least 2½ thousand unmarked graves across 900 cemeteries in South Australia. Why are there so many unmarked graves? After serving in the horrors of World War I, many soldiers returned bearing the scars of unfathomable experiences, often becoming disconnected from family and friends in their community. Unmarked graves were also a sign of the time, as many died during the Great Depression. As Headstone Project SA president John Brownlie explains, a grieving family had to consider whether they would put food on the table, pay rent or put a marker on a loved one's grave.

We exist as a nation because of the sacrifices that these men and women made. Indeed, we remain eternally indebted and owe every returned soldier resting in an unmarked grave the honour and distinction of a prescribed military headstone recognising their service to Australia. No reasonable person would deny that, yet we have a government that has denied a request by the Headstone Project to receive deductible gift recipient status, DGR status, effectively curtailing their important work.

Earlier this week, I asked the Treasurer in question time if he would reconsider the government's decision, particularly given their counterpart organisation, Headstone Project Tasmania, does have DGR status. The Treasurer agreed to have another look at the decision, and a meeting with the Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury was arranged. Buoyed by the apparent willingness to reconsider this grievous decision, I was quickly disappointed when advised at the meeting that the government would not be overturning the decision.

On Monday 11 November, the nation will observe Remembrance Day, a day of reflection to honour members of the armed forces who died in the line of duty, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, representing the end of hostilities in 1918. The assistant minister and other government officials will, appropriately, attend services. Incredulously, this attendance comes after denying DGR status for a voluntary organisation whose sole remit is to honour the service of returned soldiers who, despite their sacrifices, now rest in unmarked graves. I urge the assistant minister laying a wreath to please reconsider this unjust decision.

What makes this decision all the more galling is the understanding that the government has approved a total of 4,930 organisations for DGR status. That's right—4,930 organisations, but not the Headstone Project SA. To be very clear, I don't doubt the validity and worthiness of every organisation that has received DGR status. The following is just a small sample of the broad variety of DGR approved entities that positively contribute to our community: the Chatty Cafe Scheme, which encourages people experiencing loneliness to meet and chat; the Cad Factory, which reimagines the world through contemporary art practice; Cultural Dissent, which promotes the discussion of culture and its links to social and environmental issues; a personal favourite, Cricket for Climate, which is using sport to lead the way on climate solutions; and No Lights No Lycra Education, which is improving the mental health and wellbeing of young people through social connection, music and movement. They have all got DGR status, but not the Headstone Project SA, whose sole purpose is to find the graves of our World War I veterans.

The point I wish to make is that, without the service of and sacrifice made by men and women who now rest in unmarked graves, none of these organisations would now have the freedom to undertake their activities. Yet the very organisation that seeks DGR status to properly honour those who made sacrifices is denied it. This decision is unfair, it is inequitable, and, frankly, it's utterly disgraceful.