George Christensen (Dawson, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

This is the first parliamentary sitting day following the Centenary of Armistice commemoration services and events which have been conducted across the country. I'm sure most, if not all, members and senators in this parliament have been present at events which have brought to front of mind the sacrifices of our serving men and women in many theatres of war. What also must remain fresh in our minds is the need to support our serving and ex-service men and women. They need our support while they serve overseas, when they return home and, often, for many years after their time of active service has passed. It seems surprising now to think that the need for more specialised counselling services was recognised only 36 years ago in 1982. We have such services in place now because of the efforts of Vietnam veterans who lobbied for support, which finally led to the establishment of the Vietnam Veterans' Counselling Service, VVCS. Over time it has evolved to become a service for all veterans and currently-serving personnel and their partners and families. In keeping with the changing nature of that organisation, a name change was needed, and on 19 October my colleague, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, announced that the VVCS would change its name to Open Arms - Veterans and Families Counselling to coincide with the Invictus Games.

In noting that name change I acknowledge some of the individuals and organisations in my electorate of Dawson who offer support to our veterans in a range and variety of ways. Mackay is home to my good friend and Imperial Victoria Cross recipient, Keith Payne. The bravery of this man in saving the lives of so many of his comrades is well known. While he was commanding troops in Vietnam, his company came under heavy attack. Keith—wounded himself and under heavy fire—organised his troops into a safer position and then spent three hours scouring the area for isolated and wounded soldiers. He found 40 wounded men, bringing some in himself and organising the rescue of others in enemy dominated terrain. Keith is now 85 years old, but he still wants to help others. He has only recently started his own advocacy service, the Keith Payne VC Veterans Benefit Group. I want to say to Keith Payne VC: well done and thank you for your service and your continued service.

Another Vietnam veteran who lives in Mackay is George Newton. George knows the struggles of adjusting to civilian life only too well, because he lived it himself. He now spends countless unpaid hours working as an advocate on behalf of other veterans, and he is a force to be reckoned with in that field. I'm sure the Department of Veterans' Affairs knows that! I want to say to George Newton: well done and thank you for your service and your continued service.

I have also recently met some members of another support group, the Patriots Australia Military Motorcycle Club. Their Shoalwater Bay branch, which covers a lot of my electorate, travelled to Proserpine to attend the war grave commemoration service for one of our light horsemen, Harry Herth, whose final resting place is at the Proserpine Cemetery. I commend the Patriots for the respect that they showed to a brother in arms from a different theatre of war, and I commend them on the way they support each other through their shared experience, through their love of motorbikes and also through their service for other veterans. Well done and thank you to the Patriots.

I note the member for Herbert here, who also covers as a representative, as I do, the garrison city of Townsville. Last month in Townsville—and I'm pretty sure the member for Herbert was there as well—I joined the Minister for Veterans' Affairs at the rededication of Zac's Place. Purchased by Vietnam Veterans Association Queensland Branch, this house provides veterans with emergency accommodation. The centre recently received $14,274 under the Supporting Younger Veterans grants program. Well done and thank you to all of those at Zac's Place.

Also in the garrison city is Phillip Thompson OAM, the LNP Candidate for Herbert. He works tirelessly with ex-service organisations, including the Royal Australian Regiment Corporation and the Bravery Trust, as well as government, to promote meaningful engagement and employment for veterans. I recently joined up with Phil and the Minister for Veterans' Affairs at a round table for young veterans, to ensure their voices are heard on the real struggles that follow complex injuries from battlefields such as Afghanistan. To everyone who provides support: thank you for your service.

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