This is our last chance to act before we stand at cenotaphs across the country, yet the government seems content to push a bill that belongs in the dustbin.
I’ve watched the inquiries. I’ve heard the testimony. I’ve felt the genuine pain and shock from our veterans and those currently serving. They feel betrayed. Defence morale is absolutely shot to bits right now, and a big part of that is a government that gives the “top brass” carte blanche while ignoring the men and women on the ground.
The Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal deserves better, and our soldiers certainly deserve better.
The bureaucratic games must stop! Start showing respect to those who wear the uniform.
P.S. Finally clearing up speech videos from late last year. While the date may have passed, the message is still relevant today.
— Senate Speech | November 2025
Trancript
Senator ROBERTS: I support Senator Pocock’s motion to suspend standing orders because it is urgent and it’s serious. I watched the inquiry. I felt the pain from veterans, from the serving men and women and from the DHAAT—the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal. The veterans are shocked at what is going on. After serving the country, they’re shocked, they’re in pain and they’re in anguish. It’s the same with the enlisted men and women right now. It’s the same with the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal. As Senator McKenzie pointed out, we have Remembrance Day coming up in five days.
The PRESIDENT: Senator Roberts, please refer your remarks to the suspension.
Senator ROBERTS: We have five days. This is the last sitting day before Remembrance Day. That’s why it has to be done today. That’s why it’s urgent. There are two more reasons. One is that Defence morale is shot to bits over this issue and over many other issues, because the government is just listening to, and giving carte blanche to, the Defence top brass. My final point is that the minister and the government need to be saved from themselves. This is a stupid bill that’s coming up. It needs to be condemned and consigned to the dustbin.
This labor government has failed on every issue of importance, i seriously cannot think of a single real thing they have accomplished apart from fake spin of their invisible successes. Thanks for your excellent work Malcolm
What is the name of the Bill to which Sen. Roberts is referring?
Hello to who this concerns us all
please give air to the conceerns of this senator as he has the right to speak up for Australians like me who disagree with the bad decisions by govenment. . Bin the bill