The Senate has moved to reject the Albanese Labor Government’s plan to impose a 20-year limit on reviews of military honours and awards
The plan would effectively put a use-by date on “Lest we Forget”.
In a powerful condemnation of Labor’s proposal to restrict the timeframe for reviewing acts of heroism by Australian Defence Force personnel, the Coalition joined with the crossbench to move a motion to discharge the Defence Honours and Appeals Tribunal Bill 2025.
Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey said the move shows that, other than the Labor Party, the Parliament is united in its view that this Bill strips away the rights of those who have served their country.
“Whether they served 100 years ago or two years ago, veterans are worthy of respect and recognition,” Mr Chaffey said.
“It would be un-Australian to put a time limit on honouring acts of bravery. We have this week seen Australians paying tribute to those who served on Remembrance Day. How do you draw a line under this huge sacrifice just 20 years after they have served?
“Service to our country doesn’t expire after 20 years, and neither should the chance to correct an injustice. Australians expect fairness for those who wear the uniform, and the Senate is working to protect that principle.”
Established in 2011, the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal provides an independent pathway to review Defence decisions on medal recognition dating back to 1939.
The Tribunal itself has warned that Labor’s changes would gut most of its work, including landmark reviews such as those that led to Victoria Cross recognition for heroes Teddy Sheean and Richard Norden.
The Senate inquiry into the Bill received 73 submissions, with only one in support from the Department of Defence, which drafted it. Tribunal Chair Stephen Skehill told the inquiry the Bill will strip Defence personnel of their rights and “work against the wellbeing of Defence personnel,” while RSL NSW described the proposal as “disgraceful,” warning it will devalue service and harm veterans’ health.
Mr Chaffey said the Senate’s move was a forceful rejection of Labor’s attempt to wind back rights that veterans and families have relied on for more than a decade.
“If the Albanese Government has any respect for the veteran community, it will vote in support of the motion moved by the Coalition and the crossbench when Parliament returns next sitting week.”
“I encourage Australians to write to Minister Keogh, or their local Labor Member of Parliament or Senator, to ask that they support the motion to discharge the Defence Amendment (Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal) Bill 2025.”
ENDS
- Caption: Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey (centre) at Baradine this week for Remembrance Day with Baradine’s Ronald Magann, Bruce Evans, Michael Ross (Baradine RSL Sub-branch President), Brad Edwards (Baradine RSL Sub-branch secretary), Helen Harvey and Doug King. Image: Courtesy of Liz Cutts.
Media contact: Marie Low | 0491 940 108 | marie.low@aph.gov.au