Ms HOARE (4:12 PM) —As outlined in the Bills Digest for the Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 3) 2002, the purpose of the bill is to update some minor anomalies in the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 and to align provisions in the Veterans' Entitlements Act with mirror provisions in the Social Security Act 1991. The bill proposes to make minor amendments to the VEA to fix up anomalies and to make consequential amendments arising from changes to the SSA. The main provisions of this legislation include amendments concerning child related payments, the commutation of income streams, the accrual of certain pension bonuses under social security law, the calculation of pension bonuses and the backdating of claims for partner service pensions in certain circumstances. There are also amendments to achieve alignment with social security law concerning the treatment of compensation payable in lump sums.

As the legislation supports the veteran community, I would like to take the opportunity to speak about some of the activities that have been undertaken by the veteran community in my electorate of Charlton. One group of events that I would like to refer to in particular—as the member for Hasluck did before me—is in relation to the anniversary of the national service medal. I have had three presentations so far in the electorate of Charlton where I have presented 85 ex-national servicemen with their ANSM. I have been honoured to present the medal to ex-national servicemen in my electorate in recent years. I have worked closely with the national service organisations and RSLs on many projects, and I am delighted that the contributions of national servicemen are now recognised with a medal.

The commemorative medal is not only a physical reminder of their contributions as national servicemen, it is also a symbol of the nation's gratitude to all who served as national servicemen between 1951 and 1972. National service was first introduced in 1951 by the Menzies government in response to the world situation at the time and aimed to enable Australia to have a large pool of partially trained young men who could be quickly mobilised if necessary. All men turning 18 were required to register and, once their initial training obligation was completed, they were required to remain in the military reserve for five years. For the first six years, 33,000 men entered the scheme, with over three-quarters electing to serve in the Army. That scheme was abolished at the end of 1959.

The Menzies government introduced a new scheme in 1964, again in response to the worsening international situation. At that time, all 20-year-olds were required to register and selection was via a ballot for a two-year commitment in the Regular Army. The scheme ended in 1972, when Gough Whitlam on his election as Prime Minister abolished conscription. Many elected to stay in the Army and it became a long-term career path. Some nashos are still in the Army, including many senior officers. In both of these cases, many national servicemen acquitted themselves admirably in places like Korea, Malaya, Borneo and Vietnam, as well as here in Australia. The Labor Party has long advocated the recognition of national servicemen who were conscripted from all walks of life into military service during the fifties, sixties and seventies.

The federal government established the Anniversary of National Service 1951-1972 Medal to acknowledge the men who served in the two national service schemes. Further, in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette in October last year, it was stated that the medal may be awarded to a person who was registered under the National Service Act 1951, elected to meet his or her obligations under that act by completing part-time service in the citizen forces and completed such service. There was a reference made to the processing of application forms from these ex-national service people for the Anniversary of National Service 1951-1972 Medal. The detail that I received as I followed up applications from many of my constituents was that the last applications for the medal which have been processed were those received in the first week of May 2002. Knowing these dates will be good for all of the members in this place. They can relay them to their constituents who have been asking.

The last applications were processed before the Christmas break. At that time, the department had relocated offices and were in the process of installing new computers and software. They were to have recommenced processing those applications in March this year. However, there were more technical problems and the department were looking at transferring most of the process to Canberra over the next few weeks—that is, from now—so that the process will no longer be stalled and can get under way again. Unfortunately, when our constituents try to call, because there has been such a backlog and the processing has not occurred, the 1800 number is forever engaged. So I hope this will give all members of this place an opportunity to give their constituents who are asking about the processing of their application and where it is up to some idea of what is happening. Those dates were: the last applications were processed before Christmas, and they were the applications which were received by the department in May 2002. So, unfortunately, those people who have not yet received their medals and are hoping to have their medals presented to them prior to Anzac Day this year will be waiting until Anzac Day next year.

Also, at a special meeting on 17 March last week, the Westlake Macquarie subbranch of the National Servicemen's Association of Australia had a meeting which was chaired by Cec Donaldson, who is the president of the Toronto RSL subbranch and the patron of the Westlake Macquarie subbranch. In attendance at that meeting was Jeff Hunter MP, the member for Lake Macquarie, who is a patron. He presented the state flag to the subbranch. Also in attendance were Mr John Mills MP, the member for Wallsend, and Mr Milton Orkopoulos MP, the member for Swansea. At this meeting the branch was awarded its charter and banner by the state secretary of the association, Mr Moran, who stated that the Westlake Macquarie branch was the 43rd branch to be opened since the association's inception. The charter and the banner were accepted on behalf of the subbranch by the subbranch president, Mr Ron Meadows. Unfortunately, because parliament was sitting I was unable to be there for that presentation; however, I am a proud patron of the Westlake Macquarie subbranch of the National Servicemen's Association of Australia.

I am also a proud patron of the National Service and Combined Forces Association of Australia. I join with my colleague the member for Hasluck in taking an opportunity in the debate on the Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 3) 2002, to thank all of those good people in our communities—in the various associations and support groups and in the various RSL subbranches, as well as the women's auxiliaries—who do so much for our veteran communities and who will continue to do so much. Their workload will increase as our service men and women hopefully return home safely from the gulf.

I would like to mention the organisations in my electorate of Charlton which do such a great job, the RSLs and the women's auxiliaries that support them so much: the Boolaroo-Spears Point RSL subbranch, the Cardiff RSL subbranch, the Morrisset-Dora Creek RSL subbranch, the Toronto RSL subbranch and the Wangi RSL subbranch, as well as the National Service and Combined Forces Association, the Westlake Macquarie subbranch of the National Servicemen's Association, the Westlakes Ex-Service Women's Association and, of course, my dear friends Beth and Bear at the Westlakes Veterans Support Group.

In conclusion, we all know wonderful people who serve the veteran community so well. One of those has been Harry Creek. Harry has just retired as the secretary of the Toronto RSL subbranch, and I join all members of the Toronto RSL subbranch—and probably all members of this place—in extending my very best wishes to Harry on his retirement from office. Harry and I have enjoyed a long and happy working relationship. His experience and contributions to the community will be sorely missed. However, after 50 years of holding office, I believe he has earned a rest. I would also like to extend my congratulations on the many achievements Harry has gained, which demonstrate his commitment and loyalty to his country and his hard work for his community and his family. Harry Creek, we salute you.