Ross Cadell (NSW, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I'd like to associate myself with the comments of Senator Ciccone. Many times I've stood up here and said there are many difficult things about coming here, like not feeling you're making a difference in any way, shape or form. To hear the stories of some of these people, to be even a small part of a report that comes out and identifies the difficulty many of these people have transitioning from their defence careers to civilian life, and seeing the number of people with such anxiety with support dogs, trying to get over their careers—this makes me feel that we can do something with this report, if we can follow it through, if we can do these things, if we can make life better for these people. We went to Sydney and saw some of Saltwater Veterans' operations—and some of their frustrations. They operate in the Hunter, on the Newcastle Harbour. These are people who signed up to give their very best for us, and they deserve nothing less from us back to them. I think this report goes some way to recommendations that will improve access, improve outcomes and improve lives. I thank the Senate and the parliament for letting me be part of it.

Debate adjourned.