Sam Birrell (Nicholls, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You'll see around Parliament House this week a number of service men and women from the Australian Defence Force. They are participating in the ADF parliamentary exchange program. The parliamentary exchange program is a great initiative. ADF men and women come into to MP's offices and learn more about the political process, days in the lives of MPs, some of the complex consideration required when analysing legislation and how parliament works.

As the name implies, it is an exchange program, so there are times when we, as MPs, can go and spend time with the ADF on their turf. I've had the honour of spending days in the Puckapunyal Army base in my electorate engaging with the Combined Arms Training Centre and, earlier this year, experiencing part of Exercise Kakadu in Darwin, including some time on the helicopter frigate HMAS Stuart. These exchanges are critical, because there may be times when, as members of this place, we have to make a decision to deploy the ADF, potentially in dangerous circumstances. We need to know them and their perspectives and understand our capabilities.

Flight Lieutenant Monique Lonsdale is embedded in my office. She said the biggest take-out so far amongst her and her colleagues is the broad cohesion and collaboration across the parliament—something the general public probably don't see if they just watch question time. Monique is the third ADF exchange participant I've welcomed in my office, and my ability to do my job as a representative has been greatly enhanced by the perspectives of these outstanding Australians who are serving our nation.