Barnaby Joyce (New England, National Party, Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs—there you are back there! I refer to the Labor government's recent decision—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will just ask the shadow minister to start his question again.

Barnaby Joyce (New England, National Party, Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs. I refer to the Labor government's recent decision which now allows public servants to boycott the Anzac Day public holiday and substitute it for another day of leave, out of protest. Does the minister agree with this decision, and were veterans organisations consulted about it?

Matt Keogh (Burt, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for his question. As I am sure the member very well knows, to be able to facilitate the many commemorative events that happen here in Canberra at the Australian War Memorial, as well as the events that occur on the Western Front and those events that occur in Anzac Cove every year, except when disturbed by COVID, many public servants are engaged to have to work on those days so that we as a country can properly commemorate those that have served our country in uniform on those very important days.

Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Do you agree or not?

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will cease interjecting immediately.

Matt Keogh (Burt, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As it relates to public servants more broadly, of course, he would have to direct his question to the Minister representing the Minister for the Public Service.