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

The Defence Amendment (Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal) Bill 2025 is the mean spirited bill which attempted to gut the independent Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal. Without any consultation whatsoever, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs developed a plan which had no support from day one. But everyone on that side of the House voted for it. Every one of you voted to strip away the appeal rights of Australian Defence Force personnel and our veterans while also placing a 20-year time limit on the heroic actions of our servicemen and servicewomen. This bill is a disgrace. The minister couldn't name a single veteran who supported it—not one veteran!—when he was challenged in this place.

There were 75 submissions to the Senate inquiry, and 74 opposed the bill. Now, in the most humiliating retreat, the bill has been discharged from the Senate because not even Labor senators wanted to vote for it. Prime Minister, you and your minister owe our veterans an apology for the stress and anxiety you caused. Why won't you just say sorry, Prime Minister? Forget about trying to fix this disgraceful bill. Just tear it up and throw it in the bin. It's time to focus on the real issues affecting our veterans. Why won't you focus on the real issues?

Oh, you can speak now, Jim Reaper? The Jim Reaper speaks, finally! Not a word on that awards tribunal—you're a chicken liver! (Time expired)

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

Order! The member for Gippsland will withdraw that remark.

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

I withdraw.