Fiona Scott (Lindsay, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today in support of the motion before the chamber on Australian Defence Force funding. I would like to thank my good friend the member for Ryan for raising this matter today. The people of Lindsay have a long and proud history of serving our nation—from the men who joined the early militia to serve king and country in the Boer War to those who heard the call and joined the Coo-ee March, which 100 years ago this year made its way through the main street of Penrith. Like the people of Lindsay, I myself share in this rich military tradition—from my grandfather, Lesley Allan, and my Uncle Gary back to my great-grandfather, Arthur Booth, who as part of the Luddenham Light Horse joined the First World War.

As a country we pride ourselves on the Anzac spirit of loyalty, mateship and rising above adversity—often against the odds. It is a spirit which continues to be an integral part of our nation's DNA. To the present day, the Nepean region is home to numerous RAAF bases both inside and outside the electorate, including Orchard Hills, Richmond and Glenbrook. Historically, we were one of the key military communications and transmission sites, through Eastern Creek, Londonderry, Bringelly and Wallgrove Road—and still at Glenbrook. For many years, the 133 Signal Squadron were stationed at Kingswood.

I am proud to be part of a government that acknowledges the service of our military personnel and their families by providing fair indexation of the DFRDB and DFRB pensions. This fair indexation will benefit 57,000 superannuants, together with their families. It will give these ex-serving military personnel the fair go they have long deserved. The Abbott government is getting on with the job of delivering to our Defence Force personnel and its former serving members. In recognition of the unique nature of military service, we will maintain a stand-alone Department of Veterans' Affairs to tackle mental health challenges faced by veterans and their families and to provide adequate welfare and advocacy support.

We have heard over and over again the claim from some that they are the sole voice in defending the pay and conditions of serving and retired Defence personnel. The truth is that, by their actions, they have probably done more harm than good. For the record, let me remind members opposite exactly what their actions have caused. Firstly, they cut $17 billion from Defence Force spending, cuts almost as big as what this nation spends on Medicare each year. With cuts as big as this, how can you reasonably argue that conditions can improve for Defence personnel? In fact, Labor's cuts to defence budgets put the sector’s spending at its lowest since World War II. Labor's cuts have resulted in military equipment being run into the ground and our personnel being put at risk through having to use tired old equipment. On top of that, there was a further cut to military training—it was slashed by a third—all this while our forces were on active duty internationally.

I am proud to be part of a government that has listened and is now delivering. Delivering on this promise will see a further $160 million go into the pockets of our Defence Force retirees. It will end the inequity in these pensions—especially for those who have served our nation for twenty years or more. Military pensions and benefits will now be indexed at the same rate as any other pension. This includes pensions through the Defence Force Retirement Benefits scheme and the Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits scheme. The coalition believes that 57,000 Australians will be better off as a result of these changes.

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