The Albanese Government has been accused of placing a time limit on the promise to Australian service personnel and veterans that ‘we will remember them’.
Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Darren Chester, has told Federal Parliament the solemn phrase in ‘The Ode of Remembrance’ was never intended to come with a use-by date.
“Under the legislation rammed through the House of Representatives by the Labor Party, we will only remember them if it’s convenient. We will only remember them if the action occurred in the past 20 years,” Mr Chester said.
“Despite the lack of consultation with ADF personnel and veterans, the Albanese Government has undermined the independence of the Defence Honours Awards and Appeals Tribunal by placing a time limit on reviewable actions for Australia’s most significant military medals.
“The Albanese Government has ignored the advice of the independent Tribunal that it was curtailing the rights of appeal for everyday Australians and voted to undermine the current system.
“It’s hard to believe in the aftermath of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide that the Labor Party would risk disenfranchising the veteran community, which has been impacted by poor decisions from the Defence Department in the past.”
Mr Chester said the government had provided no proof that the existing system was broken, and the capacity to review decisions made by Defence was a design feature of the Tribunal, which was established by the Gillard Government in 2011.
“The Tribunal members have acted with diligence, integrity and professionalism,” Mr Chester said.
“They have taken their job seriously. They have weighed up complex issues, carefully considered the consequences, and made recommendations that are balanced and responsible.
“It’s not like they have been handing out medals without due consideration of the many complex issues they have encountered.
“But under the Albanese Government’s mean-spirited plan for veterans, Able Seaman Teddy Sheean and Private Richard Norden would both have been denied the Victoria Cross because their brave actions occurred in World War 2 and during the Vietnam War, both outside the 20-year time limit.
“The courageous actions of D Company at Long Tan would also have been outside the time limit, and Platoon Commander Harry Smith’s fight for recognition would’ve been ignored.
“This is a Bill to abolish the rights of current personnel and veterans, along with their families, to seek an independent review of defence decisions, and the Coalition will continue to oppose the move in the Senate.”
