Sam Dastyari (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

And I take the interjection from Senator Canavan, the mouse who is now roaring! I am a big supporter of any measure that is about making sure that public servants are given fair pay for the work that they do. Senator Lambie at least has had the guts to put up a proposal and a model and a measure. People can debate the exact details of any legislation, but, frankly, I am going to have a lot more respect for someone who is prepared—you know that saying, put your money where your mouth is? I would say, 'Put your bill where your mouth is.' Senator Canavan, where is your bill on this? Where is the National Party on this issue?

You are running the government now. We have seen it. It is impressive, I have to say. In one fell swoop, you are effectively holding the government to ransom on so many issues. You can hold the government to ransom on just one more and do the right thing by ADF personnel

The men and women of the Australian Defence Force provide an essential and often dangerous service to all of us. Their work is demanding and, as we know, far too often life-threatening. They put their lives on the line, with dedication and courage, to ensure Australia is safe. Today, more than 2,500 Australian Defence Force personnel are on deployments around the world. We have more than 1,500 personnel in various operations in the Middle East, including Operation Okra, Operation Accordion and Operation Manitou. In Afghanistan, 900 personnel are involved in Operation Highroad. There are Australians deployed in smaller operations in the Sudan, Egypt, Israel and Lebanon. And, as we know, they are deployed on 'on water' matters around Australia.

All Australians recognise the sacrifices that our ADF personnel make. What we are saying in this motion is simply allow them the respect and decency to have a proper, frank and fair debate about their pay. What we are asking for is a government that is strong enough and proud enough to be prepared to have the debate—and that is what this government is not prepared to do.