Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

The women and men of the Australian Defence Force who wear and have worn the nation's uniform are the finest of Australians. We owe them eternal gratitude for the service they give and have given. They have given that service in an environment where much is expected of them. Much is expected of them in the way they defend Australia and defend Australian values and interests, and much is expected in the way they conduct themselves in their operations. Senator Lambie, we pay tribute to your service in the Australian Defence Force and acknowledge the passionate advocacy you have continuously brought to this Senate for the veterans of Australia and for their families and loved ones.

The work of the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force and the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide are critically important pieces of work and analysis in relation to the conduct and operations of our Defence Force and the support and services given to our veterans. Both are complex areas, and both have rightly been the subject of careful, thoughtful scrutiny. The opposition concurs with Senator Lambie that it is important that transparency be given over the work of the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force and the review undertaken. We agree that there ought to be that degree of public transparency that enables public accountability to occur. For that reason, on the broad principles, we agree with Senator Lambie and will support her in the intent behind her motion.

I have circulated some amendments to that motion that seek to address two particular issues of concern the opposition has. The first is that, whilst absolutely recognising the connectivity for Australian veterans and their families between some of the work of the IGADF and of the royal commission, we don't believe one should be used to reflect upon the other. So we propose not to support—and propose an amendment to remove—the statement that suggests that the status of the IGADF report undermines the findings of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. We understand why both are critically important to our veteran community and we want to ensure that the veteran community has confidence in relation to both. But we do not wish to draw the linkage or make prejudicial statements in relation to one or the other of these important pieces of work.

The other is in relation to Senator Lambie's call for the immediate release of the IGADF report. We have supported Senator Lambie in calling for its release. We continue to support the call for its release. We have acknowledged and recognised that the government have said they are committed to its release but are working through the processes for its release. We respect the difficulty for the government, given the gravity of the circumstances and issues being dealt with, in ensuring that the report is released with appropriate consideration of its content and the manner in which it is released.

But we believe the government needs to give certainty to this Senate and, more importantly, to Australian veterans and serving Australian personnel about when it's going to come to an end—when it's going to happen. So we propose an amendment to substitute the word 'immediately' for the words 'to commit to a firm timeframe to'. We respect the work of government to ensure that the report is properly released, but they can't just keep saying, 'Trust us; we'll get to it at some point.' There needs to be certainty about when that is.

The opposition is seeking to treat this responsibly and carefully, given the sensitivity of the issues, and to give the government the benefit of the doubt about the work to be done for the release of this report. We are not saying it must happen here, now, today; we are saying, very clearly, the government must come clean and be upfront with Australian veterans and the defence community about when and how it is going to happen. Enough of saying 'some day'; it's time to say which day. Enough of saying 'some time'; it's time to say precisely when. It's time to give that certainty and that confidence to our veterans and our defence community.

I seek leave to move the amendments circulated in my name on behalf of the coalition together.

Leave granted.

I move:

Omit paragraph (a)(i).

Paragraph (b), omit "immediately", substitute "commit to a firm timeframe to".

They are intended to reflect and deliver upon the spirit, intent and content of the motion Senator Lambie has brought to this chamber and to acknowledge the sensitivities and the work the government is undertaking. We hope that, with that, we can see a motion pass this Senate that makes clear the Senate's intent that this report should be released. It gives the government the clear message they should say precisely when and how it will be released, to end the doubt, and makes it possible for all stakeholders interested in this matter, as well as for this Senate, to hold the government to account in relation to the steps it takes not just in response to the royal commission but also in response to the work of the IGADF.