Darren Chester (Gippsland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

'We will remember them'—four simple words but four incredibly powerful words in the 'Ode of Remembrance'. There's no use-by date. It's not 'we will remember them when it's convenient for the Labor Party', but this prime minister, the veterans minister and the entire Labor Party are putting a use-by date on 'we will remember them'. Under legislation that everyone on that side voted for, we will only remember them when their heroic actions fit into a convenient timeframe of, say, the last 20 years.

You can speak up now, Treasurer; you didn't speak up when the bill was going through the House! Labor's plan to place a time limit on reviews under the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal means Teddy Sheean and Richard Norden would not have got a Victoria Cross. That's what it means, Treasurer! The tribunal has said this bill, the Defence Amendment (Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal) Bill 2025, takes away the rights of ADF personnel and veterans. The tribunal warned this will detract from the integrity of the Defence honours and awards system.

On this side of the House, we will always remember them. I urge the Labor Party to do the same. Labor was very quick to politicise the campaign for Teddy Sheean to receive a VC. Under this legislation, it wouldn't have been possible.

A government member interjecting

You've found the voice now! Does anyone there have the courage to stand up and fight this bill? Why is Labor putting a use-by date on 'we will remember them'? Why is Labor taking away the rights of Australian Defence Force personnel— (Time expired)

See this speech in context