Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The House of Representatives has just voted 90 to 49 to deny our wonderful veteran heroes medallic recognition for their bravery. But there is another opportunity—members will get another chance to right this wrong. It's too important not to do just that, when you've got teenagers such as Teddy Sheean and Richard Norden, who each, by their very actions, deserved a Victoria Cross for Australia and were recognised as such decades after their gallant actions. In the future, such efforts will not be recognised, and that is such a shame. Then, of course, we've got the 10 members of D Company who put their lives on the line, at Long Tan, to serve. To recognise them was the right and just thing to do.

Labor members, you don't always have to go along with the caucus. You can do what's right. You've got the chance, in these few hours, to think long and hard about the veterans, about our heroes and about your RSL clubs and to do the right thing not just for yourselves and your communities but for the heroes who made this country what it is today.