Ian Goodenough (Moore, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Earlier this year I had the enriching experience of participation in the Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Program, spending a week attached to the 51st Battalion Far North Queensland regiment based at Porton Barracks in Cairns. The 51st Battalion is a regional force surveillance unit responsible for border protection in an area covering over 600,000 square kilometres of rugged and remote terrain on the Cape York Peninsular. I lived in the barracks for a week, sharing accommodation and meals with the troops, including ration packs. The exercises were very hands on. I participated in rugged terrain driving exercises in the G-Wagen and Unimog, a marine navigation course, jet boat patrols, as well as physical training and weapons handling drills. I would like to thank Major Simon Sullivan for making the necessary arrangements for my trip and also Major Ravenscroft and other members of the unit. The experience enhanced my appreciation for the work of our troops and the testing conditions in which they operate. After getting to know the officers, the full-time soldiers and reservists, they opened up and shared their genuine concerns with me, which include how bureaucracy, excessive documentation and overzealous risk management are stifling our defence forces. It is valuable to get this insight as a member of parliament.