Melissa Price (Durack, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

This motion rightly acknowledges, recognises and thanks the women who have served and continue to serve in the Australian Defence Force. Australian women have been a central part of our Defence Force for over a century, in every element of our forces. From the beginning of the Anzac legend in World War I, when women served as nurses on the front lines, to today's personnel operating across land, sea, air and cyber domains, their contribution has been constant, essential and, too often, sadly under-recognised.

Throughout all conflicts involving Australia, our nation's women have been there to protect and care for us, sacrificing their own lives for ours. In World War II, women played a critical role in protecting Australian shores from potential Japanese invasion. With many of our soldiers fighting in Europe and South-East Asia at the time, it was up to the women at home to take up the fight. Thus, the Women's Australian National Service was formed, followed by the Australian Women's Army Service, the Women's Royal Australian Naval Service and the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force. In total, over 50,000 women served in these groups.

I recently had the pleasure of experiencing 21 Hearts. This is a theatre production by Theatre 180 about the compelling true story of Vivian Bullwinkel and the Nurses of the Vyner Brooke. When leaving Singapore following the Japanese invasion, the group's ship was bombed, forcing the nurses to spend days at sea before finding Radji Beach on Bangka Island, where they surrendered. Despite surrendering to and treating the Japanese soldiers for their injuries, the 22 nurses were forced into the water, where they were shot at. It was one of the most shocking and vile instances of war. With the nurses turning and facing towards the horizon, as they walked into the ocean, they were machine-gunned down. This was on 16 February 1942. It doesn't feel like such a long time ago. Just one nurse survived to tell of the ordeal, and that was Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel. I just want to give a shout-out because that production has now left Western Australia and is travelling around the east coast with the support of the Department of Veterans' Affairs. So I say to anybody out there: please, look out for the wonderful story of 21 Hearts. This story symbolises the courage, strength and resilience all women in our Defence Force have shown over many years.

Whether serving in logistics, intelligence, combat support, peacekeeping missions or, now, fully integrated combat roles, women in the Australian Defence Force have demonstrated professionalism of the highest order. They have led troops, piloted many aircraft, commanded many naval vessels and contributed to complex operations both at home and abroad. Servicewomen have broken down barriers not just for themselves but for future generations, who now see defence service as a path open to all Australians, regardless of gender. Today, around 20 per cent of our defence force are women. I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks this, but, personally, I would like to see that increased to reach the goal of at least 25 per cent by 2030.

Challenges are still being felt by our servicewomen, with underrepresentation in combat and technical roles. While increasing representation is, of course, critical, it is equally important to recognise that the challenges facing servicewomen do not end when their service does. We must all do better to support our women veterans, who are twice as likely to die by suicide compared to civilian women. Eighty per cent of victims of military sexual misconduct are women, with 25 per cent of women experiencing sexual harassment in the last five years in an ADF workplace. That's just shocking. Of course, these numbers are simply too high, and more must be done to better acknowledge and support women in their service of Australia.

I would like to acknowledge the member for Lyons, who has brought this very, very important motion to the House, and I would like to acknowledge the member for Bullwinkel, who spoke previously about Vivian Bullwinkel and her incredible courage. I want to acknowledge that it's just a wonderful thing that we now have a federal seat named after Vivian Bullwinkel.

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