Local Centenary of ANZAC commemorations lack dollars and leadership under the Gillard Labor Government
Thursday, 29 November 2012
Local veterans need the Gillard Labor Government to start showing leadership ahead of the Centenary of ANZAC commemorations to ensure they are the success they must be.
The Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke MP, said the silence from Labor about the Centenary of ANZAC needed to end so that veterans and community groups across Mitchell can plan local events.
“The Coalition is concerned about Labor’s silence and lack of public agenda for the Centenary of ANZAC”, Alex Hawke said.
“The Centenary of ANZAC provides our nation with a once in a generation opportunity to ensure that all Australians, particularly young Australians, understand the sacrifices that have been made by so many to protect the values and ideals that we as a nation must never take for granted.
“Delivered well, it will engage all Australians and leave a legacy for future generations who will understand the sacrifices made by those who have served this country and the unique nature of military service.
“However, the Coalition is worried that Labor has given the Centenary commemorations a lower priority than they deserve. I know that veterans and communities across Mitchell are busy thinking about how they can best commemorate this our most significant period of national commemoration.
“Whilst the Government has announced a $9.5 million ‘community commemoration’ fund, there are no details about how much, when and what the money can be spent on in our community.
“Many local projects require collaboration between different organisations, including our local councils and other groups to ensure that local events are successful and leave a lasting community legacy long after the Centenary commemoration activities conclude in 2018.
Alex Hawke said the Coalition was committed to making grass roots community commemoration the central focus of the Centenary of ANZAC commemorations under a Coalition Government.
“The Coalition is determined to ensure the Centenary of ANZAC commemoration is driven locally, enabling all Australians, no matter where they live, the opportunity to reflect, remember and commemorate the service and sacrifice of those who have served in the Australian Defence Force.
“The Coalition wants to ensure that the legacy of the Centenary of ANZAC is a renewed understanding of the unique nature of military service and a rededication of our local community to the covenant which exists between a nation served and those who serve and have served it”, concluded Alex Hawke.