Mr EDWARDS (1:32 PM) —In the minutes that remain in this debate, I want to associate myself with the very positive comments and remarks that have been made in a very genuine way by members who have spoken. I compliment the member for Wannon for this motion and for the work he has done on this program. If I had more time, I would have canvassed the same issues that were canvassed by the member for Brand, and I certainly associate myself with his remarks. The member for Moncrieff made mention of the Russian Ilushin plane in which we flew to Kuwait. It was a very uncomfortable trip but I know that we earned more respect from the ADF personnel because of the way that we chose to go up there. Unlike the member for Moncrieff, however, I had absolutely no complaint about the leg room.

The member for Wannon made a very important point when he mentioned that there are very few members with military service in this parliament, in contrast with years ago. It is important that members who take part in this program get an opportunity to see how ADF personnel work and, hopefully, better reflect some of their needs in the debates that occur from time to time in this parliament. I know that later this year or perhaps in the new year we will be debating a new military compensation scheme for our ADF personnel. I hope when that debate takes place that members who have spoken here and those who have gone on this program will contribute to that debate with a better understanding of the nature of ADF service and how its compensation scheme must differ from the scheme for those in civilian employment. That is an important point because members of our ADF put themselves in a position where they are away from home, undergo rigorous training and end up in circumstances where people are trying to kill them. That is a very important and sobering thing that we will need to consider in due course. I know time is out but, in conclusion, I also pay tribute to the members of the Army Reserve, who do a tremendous job in supporting our full-time ADF personnel. I am very proud of our young men and women. They serve this nation proud and they do a great job.

The SPEAKER —Order! It being 1.45 p.m., the debate is interrupted in accordance with standing order 106A. The debate is adjourned and the resumption of the debate will be made an order of the day for the next sitting.