Senator WATSON —My question is directed to Senator Macdonald, Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government.

Opposition senators interjecting—

The PRESIDENT —Order! That sort of behaviour of sledging and calling across the chamber is totally out of order.

Senator WATSON —Madam President, the minister would be aware of today's announcement of Australian Bravery Decorations which again highlights the bravery and sacrifice of many Australians. As many of those mentioned are members of the fire, police and ambulance services, will the minister advise the Senate whether the government has any plans to recognise the contribution of Australia's permanent and volunteer emergency personnel in our national capital?

Senator IAN MACDONALD (Regional Services, Territories and Local Government) —I appreciate the question from Senator Watson, particularly in his role as the newly elected Chairman of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories. That question particularly relates to the national capital. I think all senators would agree with me that there would not be many Australians who have not been touched by the good work, the courage and compassion of the emergency services workers in Australia. It is accordingly with a great deal of pleasure that I announce that the government has decided to establish a National Emergency Services Memorial in Canberra.

It is an Australian characteristic that we help each other out in times of danger of natural disaster and that the people at the forefront of that help are usually our professional and volunteer services—firefighters, police men and women and ambulance officers. However, there has been no national place to commemorate their contribution and sometimes their sacrifice. The National Emergency Services Memorial will be on national land within the parliamentary triangle. The government is confident that the memorial will receive wide support from the Australian community as a fitting national focus for honouring the thousands of men and women who serve in our emergency services for the benefit of the wider community. The memorial will also provide a focus to commemorate those who have fallen or perished while carrying out their important duties to their fellow Australians.

I am particularly pleased that the Prime Minister has taken a personal interest in the provision of a permanent recognition of the work the emergency services workers do. As Senator Watson has said in his question, the matter is particularly in our minds today with the announcement of the bravery decorations, a number of which have gone to professional and volunteer emergency services personnel. As well, we have been thinking in recent times of the young policemen who were cut down in the course of their duty. Not too long ago, we were mourning the loss of firefighters caught by bushfires while trying to protect the lives and property of other Australians.

The government feels that it is fitting that a substantial memorial to honour their contribution is erected, and that that memorial recognise their contribution and the contribution made by other emergency services workers. I am pleased to advise the Senate that I have asked the National Capital Authority to conduct a design competition for the National Emergency Services Memorial. Leading Australian architects and sculptors will be asked to provide conceptual designs, as will members of the Australian community. I am sure that everyone in the Senate will agree that, as we approach the first 100 years of the Australian federation, it is fitting that a monument marking the enormous and valuable contribution of our emergency services workers be established in the centre of our national capital.