9   The Honourable Dr Brendan Nelson AO

Ms Flint, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1)        notes:

(a)        the importance of the Australian War Memorial to our nation in commemorating, acknowledging and recording the service of our defence force personnel; and

(b)        that after seven years of service to the Australian War Memorial, the Hon Dr Brendan Nelson AO is retiring as its director;

(2)        acknowledges the outstanding leadership Dr Nelson has provided at the Australian War Memorial, including:

(a)        introducing the daily Last Post ceremony;

(b)        leading the Memorial through the:

(i)         Centenary of ANZAC and World War I commemorations; and

(ii)       50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War commemorations;

(c)        renovating the First World War galleries;

(d)        recognising the need to incorporate the service of our 100,000 younger veterans and therefore introducing the Afghanistan exhibition;

(e)        advocating for and securing, with Australian War Memorial Chairman Mr Kerry Stokes AC, a $500 million investment to expand the memorial to enable the stories of younger veterans to be told; and

(f)         strengthening the relationship the Australian people have with the memorial and the men and women who have served our nation; and

(3)        congratulates and sincerely thanks Dr Nelson for his service to the Australian War Memorial and the nation.

Debate ensued.

The time allotted for the debate having expired, the debate was interrupted, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.