Carol Brown (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I also want to make a short contribution and congratulate Prime Minister Julia Gillard for today reaffirming the government’s ongoing commitment to the Australian War Memorial, and announcing an additional $8 million per year to ensure its ongoing operations. The new funding will ensure that the memorial can adequately respond to increased demands for these events as well as support inquiries, multimedia and education programs, research centres, services and professional historical advice. Today’s announcement also includes—as my colleague Senator Lundy has indicated—a one-off payment of $1.7 million to begin the redevelopment of the memorial’s First World War gallery. Again, I congratulate the Prime Minister and the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Mr Snowdon for making this announcement today. I praise the memorial and its outstanding contribution to Australian society. I seek leave to continue my remarks.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.