WE will remember them.
Four simple words. But four incredibly powerful words in the Ode of Remembrance.
It’s not ‘we will remember them when it’s convenient’, which is the plan by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
An independent statutory agency has accused the Albanese government of abolishing the rights of Australian Defence Force personnel and veterans when seeking to review our nation’s highest awards for bravery.
The Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal has made a formal submission to a Senate inquiry regarding the government’s plans to limit the time period for reviewing acts of gallantry.
The Tribunal’s submission also highlighted that it would’ve been impossible for the Victoria Cross to be posthumously awarded to war heroes like Ordinary Seaman Teddy Sheean and Private Richard Norden under the new approach of the Albanese government.
Under the changes rammed through the House of Representatives without proper consultation with ex-service organisations, all Labor Party MPs voted to introduce a 20-year time limit on reviewable actions.
In effect, it would mean the actions of Australian Defence Force personnel from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and any other conflict outside the 20-year timeframe could not be considered for review.
In its submission, the independent Tribunal strongly disagreed with Labor’s approach and said:
“In the view of the Tribunal, the Bill in its present form would work to the very significant disadvantage of ADF members and veterans, their families and other supporters by abolishing existing rights of independent merits review in the Tribunal and would thereby detract from the integrity of the defence honours and awards system.”
Our national heroes deserve recognition regardless of the timing of their actions.
The Coalition will continue to campaign against this ill-conceived Bill because we don’t believe our solemn commitment of ‘we will remember them’ should have a use-by date of 20 years imposed by an out-of-touch prime minister.
