Warren Snowdon (Lingiari, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Defence Science and Personnel) Share this | Hansard source

Did you bother making a representation to the Minister for Defence to highlight to him the issues that were raised in the meeting? No, you did not, because what you are about is a cheap political stunt. If a constituent came to me with a particular issue relating to a portfolio matter and an issue emanated out of that discussion, as a responsible local member—or a responsible deputy leader of the opposition or a responsible shadow minister—I would have alerted the minister to the problem. This is a serious issue. We now know what this is all about. It is not about trying to find a resolution to the issue; it is about trying to make cheap political points. And I noted that, during the course of his address, the Leader of the Opposition focused solely on the two cameras opposite him. He was not trying to focus on the House and to have a communication with us—again demonstrating the cheap political stunt that he is on about.

Let us understand this: the defence minister’s instruction to cease debt recovery remains in place. To deal with this problem in the short term, the Chief of Army issued a directive dated 18 February in relation to the determination that (1) any member who had a debt recorded against them will no longer have this debt; (2) any member who had repaid any debt will have that money reimbursed; and (3) any member who has been receiving reduced salary will have that money paid back. Army will also recognise the reality that, in many cases, special forces soldiers already meet the required qualifications due to the special operations training and on-the-job training.

Let me make it very clear to members opposite and to those who might be listening to this debate that there is no lack of intent on the government’s behalf to resolve this issue as quickly as possible. I go back to my point: we briefed Senator Johnston early in February about the next steps and about the audit that was taking place, to make sure that we got it right. Senator Johnston was okay with that—that was terrific. But what do we hear in the last week? We hear that it is no longer appropriate for us to deal properly with these families and it is no longer appropriate for us to try to seek a proper audit to make sure no-one is out of pocket and no-one is being disadvantaged. Let there be no doubt: this censure motion is a fabricated, political stunt. The Minister for Defence has acted decisively. The minister has acted properly. The minister is clearly in control of his portfolio. (Time expired)

Question put:

That the motion (Mr Turnbull’s) be agreed to.

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