Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I also rise to speak on this document. I endorse wholeheartedly the comments of Senator Humphries and Senator Ronaldson. There are some things in life that are sacrosanct. One of them is the reverence and the esteem in which we hold those who have fallen in the greatest sacrifice of all for their nation.

I was horrified last year when I found out one of the considerations for the Australian War Memorial was that the last post, which is played every day—it is one of the most poignant and symbolic things that happen at the War Memorial—was going to be either axed or else corporate sponsorship was going to be sought to fund the playing of it. That was horrific. It was so horrific that I discussed it with war veterans in my home state of Tasmania, and we took up a petition—and that petition has been lodged in this parliament—condemning the proposal to seek sponsorship for the playing of the last post at Australia’s premier war memorial. I could not believe that, and I know thousands of other Australians shared my view.

To cut funding to an institution such as this is basically saying: we do not care about the memories, we do not care about honouring and we do not care about respect for those who have gone before us, those who have laid down their lives in support of our great nation and other nations around the world.

It is also a great symbol of democracy. When you honour your dead you are honouring your democracy and democratic rights around the world. I think governments need to make sure that funding is not cut to things like this. It is one of the most revered places in this country. People flock to the War Memorial. When people come to Canberra, they always include the War Memorial on their itinerary. It is one of the premier things they include on their itinerary.

I am very concerned and I condemn the government for even considering reducing the budget for the Australian War Memorial. It is something that should not be played with. It is not something they should take lightly. We need to honour the dead of this country, especially those who have fallen in defence of this nation.

I seek leave to continue my remarks later.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.