David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

Sure. I've heard from veterans about the urgency needed to send a message to the government that this should not be the priority. Responding and implementing the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide should be the priority. That is why this is so urgent.

This is urgent because, again, it was disturbing that there was no consultation. This is urgent because this has been prioritised ahead of so many other things that could be done for our veterans, people who have served this country and deserve better recognition and to be looked after. This is urgent because had this bill been law a few years ago Ordinary Seaman Teddy Sheehan would not have been recognised for his bravery and valour. This is urgent because the government is seeking to stop the next Teddy Sheehan from being recognised. This is urgent because we can't play these games any longer. We can't have a Senate committee being denied the opportunity to actually report on a bill which clearly has no support in the Senate.

That's why I'm suspending standing orders and moving this motion to actually discharge this bill, to send a message to the government when it comes to consultation on bills that you bring to the parliament and to the Senate and to send a very clear message to veterans and veterans' families out there that we see you, we hear what you're saying and the Senate will act to ensure the government gets the very clear message that there is a whole range of priorities when it comes to veterans and communities across the country but this is not one of them.