Mr SIDEBOTTOM (1:48 PM) —I would like to relate a positive and good news story. Last Monday in the grievance debate I raised the issue of the nine surviving members of HMAS Armidale, which was sunk on 1 December 1942. One of the members wrote to the Minister for Defence, who unfortunately said that the government were unable to assist them in transport and accommodation to attend the commissioning of HMAS Sheean in March next year in Western Australia.

Through the tremendous support of Bill Birnbauer of the Age and 3AW's Neil Mitchell, a campaign of lobbying was undertaken and I am pleased to announce that the minister, through the lobbying of the Minister for Veterans' Affairs by members opposite as well as members of both sides of parliament in Victoria, was able to have the decision reversed. Those nine remaining members are now going to have their accommodation and transport paid for to go to the commissioning of HMAS Sheean, in commemoration of Teddie Sheean, in March in Western Australia next year. It is a great story and I do thank the government for finally reversing their decision.