Annette Hurley (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I am pleased to support Senator Adams in congratulating members of the Defence Force on the running of the Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Program. Senator Adams is a strong supporter in the Senate of participation in this program. I have been very pleased to participate in it myself and I know that many of my colleagues also have been pleased to participate. I know that all of us have had a great deal of value from the program. It is wonderful to see the commitment and professionalism of members of our Defence Force. I suppose we hear about it all the time and we see, in operations both here in Australia and overseas, the success of their endeavours. But after spending time with them day after day and watching them go about their ordinary, everyday work I feel that it is very satisfying that we have such high-calibre people in our defence forces. They are right through the ranks and in every role that is performed so well.

It is also good to have members of the Defence Force come and see us in operation here in our parliament. I am very happy that the program has been so successful this year. I think it is a very important program to continue. I believe it was started because it was felt that members of parliament did not have the same contact with the defence forces that occurred when we were closer to the Second World War when many members of parliament were actually serving Defence Force members. Although I think many of us have some connection with the Defence Force—relatives or close friends who are part of the defence forces—there is probably no substitute for being a member of the Defence Force. At least we did have the opportunity for a short time to be alongside them as they worked to see how they operate. I congratulate everyone involved in the program and I can assure you that my medal of participation sits proudly in my office.