This year will mark some dark moments in our recent history. Seventy years ago, today, on 19 February 1942, saw the WW2 bombing of Darwin in two separate raids, resulting in more than 240 people being killed, and hundreds more injured.
All around Australia people will be passing this anniversary in various ways. For my part, I will be remembering those who died or were injured defending our country – and the many, many civilians who were – and are always - inevitably caught up in the conflict.
Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2012 - 11:10
The Australian Greens will tomorrow pay tribute to service personnel and civilians who lost their lives in the bombing of Darwin, the first and largest direct attack of mainland Australia.
Greens spokesperson for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator Penny Wright, said the 70th anniversary of the bombings tomorrow was a timely reminder of the enduring costs of war.
Posted on Saturday, February 18, 2012 - 13:53
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee
Wednesday 15 February 2012
Senator WRIGHT: Good evening, gentlemen. Thank you for your time tonight. I have some questions regarding the BEST funding. Based on the recommendation of the review of DVA funded ESO, advocacy and welfare services final report of December 2010, I understand that funding to organisation under the Building Excellence in Support and Training program, the BEST program, will be cut by up to 30 per cent at 1 July 2012. Based on that background, I have a few questions. The first one—
Posted on Friday, February 17, 2012 - 16:28
Seventy years after one of Australia’s darkest years in recent history, Australians should pause to reflect the sacrifices made by Australian service people who have served in conflict zones while also acknowledging that for veterans the battle often continues long after they have come home, the Australian Greens said today.
Greens spokesperson for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator Penny Wright, urged Australians to take a moment to remember the courage of 22 nurses who came ashore on Bangka Island after the sinking of their ship the SS Vyner Brooke which was fleeing the fall of Singapore.
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 09:42
The Government has confirmed that it did not consult with Ex-Service Organisations before it cut funding to the Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) program last year, the Australian Greens said.
The Government confirmed last night during Senate Estimates that the cuts to the BEST program are here to stay.
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 07:28
Greens’ spokesperson for Veterans Affairs and Mental Health, Senator Penny Wright, has today moved a motion in the Senate to commemorate Remembrance Day, recognising the sacrifice of Australians who have died serving our country and highlighting the ongoing mental health impacts of service on veterans and their families.
Posted on Thursday, November 10, 2011 - 12:29
SENATOR WRIGHT: I move:
That the Senate
Posted on Thursday, November 10, 2011 - 12:17
Greens Veterans Affairs and Mental Health spokesperson, Senator Penny Wright, has welcomed the release of a landmark Defence Force study into the mental health of troops across three forces.
"It is not surprising that when we send people into conflict zones on our behalf, they experience events and trauma that take a toll on their mental health," Senator Wright said.
Posted on Friday, October 21, 2011 - 12:57
To mark Vietnam Veterans’ Remembrance Day and the 45th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, Greens Veterans' Affairs Spokesperson, Senator Penny Wright discusses how we need to better support our veterans on Radio Adelaide.
"As a society we send people off to serve on our behalf; we must then ensure that we look after them properly when they return."
Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2011 - 13:26
Vietnam Veterans’ Remembrance Day and the 45th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan is a timely moment to consider the ongoing costs of war, according to Greens Veterans’ Affairs spokesperson Penny Wright.
“As a society we send people off to serve on our behalf. We must then ensure that we look after them properly when they return,” Senator Wright said.
Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2011 - 11:29
