James Paterson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

I just want to take the opportunity to briefly put the opposition's position on the record in relation to this. A defence force is nothing without its people. You can have the most impressive platforms, you can have the most advanced technology, you can have the most extensive ammunitions but if you don't have people to operate them, you have nothing. It is very clear from the evidence of the royal commission into veterans that, on a bipartisan basis over a very long period of time, we have failed our people in uniform, and it is very clear that we must do better. It is clear from the evidence that instances of sexual abuse have occurred in the Defence Force and that the Defence Force has not adequately dealt with those.

Senator Lambie raises very legitimate and very serious issues today that we should all have great respect for and understand is coming from a good place. The opposition is not in a position to support the suspension today, though, because, as the minister said, this does go to a matter which is currently before the courts. I have not had an opportunity to be briefed on the case. The motion calls on the Commonwealth to take a particular position on the case in the courts and it is not clear to me, based on the limited time I had to understand this, what the implications of the Senate encouraging the government to do that would be and, as the minister said, this is in a preliminary stage.

I would encourage the government to very carefully consider the arguments made by Senator Lambie, by veterans and by others in this place as to how to best handle this case from a point of view of having due care and consideration for the welfare of our men and women in uniform and veterans who have been victims of abuse historically. But, as I said, the opposition is not in a position to support this motion today.