The Australian War Memorial Council must recognise the vast public support for recognition of peacekeepers on the National Honour Roll, says Australian Greens Spokesperson on Veterans Affairs, Senator Penny Wright.

"As a society, it is important that we recognise those who have served, and continue to serve, on our behalf," Senator Wright said. "We must always be conscious of their efforts, their sacrifice, and never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of us all.

I move that the Senate

(a)    notes that:

(i)      Australian peacekeepers make a significant contribution to international peace and security;

(ii)    Forty-eight Australians have died on peacekeeping missions overseas;

(iii)   Over 19,000 individuals have signed a community petition calling for the 48 Australian peacekeepers who have died in the service of their country to receive equal recognition and be placed on the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial;

(b)   calls on the Government to:

Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee 
Department of Veterans' Affairs 

20 November, 2013

Senator WRIGHT: I am asking a question about cases where Australian Defence Force personnel are injured during deployment and they lose the tax exemption that would normally apply during their deployment under section 23AD of the taxation act. Is that a scenario that people in the department are familiar with? I imagine it is.

The Australian Greens will continue to campaign for formal recognition of peacekeepers who died serving the nation to be included on the Honour Roll at the Australian War Memorial, despite the AWM council's resolution to postpone a decision until 2013.

Australian Greens spokesperson for Veterans Affairs, Senator Penny Wright, said greater recognition was needed for the valuable contribution Australians made to the international peacekeeping effort.

The Australian Greens today supported calls for changed entitlements so wounded Australian soldiers can continue to accrue tax-free pay and leave while in rehabilitation or outpatient treatment.

 Australian Greens spokesperson for Veterans Affairs Senator Penny Wright said the changes, recommended by the South Australian Veterans Affairs Advisory Council, were a matter of fairness and common sense.

The Australian Greens today will be calling for Australian peacekeepers who died as part of their service, to be included on the Honour Roll at the Australian War Memorial.

Greens spokesperson for Veterans Affairs, Senator Penny Wright, will move a motion in the Senate later today, calling on the Government to request the Australian War Memorial Council to consider this move. Senator Wright said she encouraged, and expected, both the old parties to support this important call.

Senator WRIGHT: I move:

That the Senate:

(a) notes that:

(i) Approximately 70,000 Australian Defence Force and Australian Federal Police personnel have been deployed on over 60 peacekeeping operations throughout the world;
(ii) Forty-eight Australians have died on peacekeeping missions overseas;
(iii) Australian peacekeepers have made a significant contribution to international peace and security;

On Australian Peacekeepers Day, Australian Greens spokesperson for Veterans Affairs, Senator Penny Wright, said greater recognition was needed for the valuable contribution Australians made to the international peacekeeping effort.

 "Our peacekeepers have the important - and often dangerous - task of maintaining and restoring peace and security in conflict and post-conflict zones around the globe," Senator Wright said.

Senator WRIGHT (South Australia) (17:11):

As the Australian Greens spokesperson on veterans' affairs, I am very aware of the cause of fairer indexation of military superannuation pensions. I have spoken at length to organisations representing veterans and their families and I, along with many other MPs, have received extensive correspondence from the veterans' community about this issue.

This week, people all over Australia are taking to the streets again to raise money and awareness for Legacy Week.

This is the 70th year that this important charity, which cares for the families of deceased Australian servicemen and women, is running its annual fundraising appeal, and many Australians would have already seen some of the dedicated volunteers on the streets, tirelessly selling badges and collecting funds.