Cameron Caldwell (Fadden, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise briefly today to make a contribution on this matter. I want to, firstly, pay tribute to the contributions that have been made on both sides of the chamber on this issue. It's one that I think has been taken extremely seriously by all sides of politics, and there is a genuine and deep recognition of the issues that needed to be resolved.

I rise particularly to pay tribute to some local residents that I've got to know very well: John and Robyn Halloran. John and Robyn lost their son, Tom, who served our nation. There was an enormous amount of pain for them and for Tom's sister, Annie, with his loss. The family first came to my attention when the local RSL at Runaway Bay approached me in my capacity as the local councillor to put a small plaque in memorial of Tom at our cenotaph at Runaway Bay. I was moved at the time by the story and by the family's efforts to not have lost Tom in vain. I supported that small gesture. Within a very short period of time, Anzac Day rolled around, and John, Robyn and Annie were there. In that moment, the realisation of their pain hit me quite deeply.

I was extremely proud to have played some part in ensuring that Tom's loss was never going to be without a lasting legacy. John, Robyn and Annie, I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to you because you have gone and turned your pain into a positive message that we can use as a nation to redirect what happens in the future. This royal commission has played a role in ensuring that the legacy that Tom and you as a family have put forward will not be lost and will not be in vain. Thank you so much.

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