SITTING in a jet, 30,000 feet above the ground, with a group of homeward-bound Australian soldiers, it’s hard not be humbled by the enormity of the work and sacrifice our servicemen and women have made and continue to make, for our country and for the greater ideal of world peace.

Long gone are the days when huge ships brought our soldiers home, amid fanfare and brass bands. Now, soldiers clad in civilian clothes, step off planes and into the private embrace of family and friends.

Our modern day soldiers share the same larrikin humour that Australians have always been known for but underneath is a distinctive resolve and sense of purpose that not only drives them as individuals but unites them as a group.

Mateship has been the defining character of Australian servicemen and women, throughout our 100 year defence force history. Looking out for your mates is about respect and survival. From the person servicing the jets to the one checking the body armour, every cog in this finely tuned wheel is focused on ensuring every soldier gets to return home at the end of their tour of duty, to the families who are always in their thoughts.

“Can I show you a photo of my five-year-old? He’s starting school next week.”

“My daughter thinks ‘mother’ is another word for telephone.”

The distance is hard for these men and women but their sense of duty and purpose is unwavering.

You may wonder, as I once did, why we have our armed forces committed to battles on foreign shores, you may question what victory would actually look like.

We are there because we value human life and we value freedom. We want to see the people of Iraq and Afghanistan living freely and safely, without the threat of persecution. We are there, not to rebuild their countries but to give them the skills, knowledge and resources to do the rebuilding themselves.

Victory will look like children, boys and girls, going to school. Victory will look like people determining their own future. Victory will look like religious freedom. Victory will look like the absence of fear in countries that have known little else, for too long.

The training and air support missions we’ve committed to and are working towards, together with other nations, are motivated by the desire to see people empowered and able to enjoy the freedoms that we take for granted, here in Australia.

As one plane lands in Australia, bringing soldiers home, another will leave, taking a new deployment to continue the hard work that those who went before them, began.

Already speaking about what they’ll do when they go home. 

“I’m getting a six pack of ciders and a kangaroo steak - the trick is not to overcook it – then I’m going to the cricket.” 

They’re mindful of the dangers and just as focused on the mission, just as driven by the belief in freedom and their trust in each other. The men and women currently serving in our defence force in the Middle East are people of whom we can all be very proud. May they all come home to their families, cricket and steak.

MR Fischer, your natural bias obviously prevents you from a simple Google search to enlighten you as to the effects of man made emissions of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere since the start of the industrial revolution, and the consequent ramifications on climate change.

That was my point when I stated that the exploitation of natural resources were the main cause of human induced climate change, but I obviously didn’t state my case to an adequate level, to which you have my sincere apologies.

As for a career in politics, the current system of governing the people is the greatest detriment to human advancement and until the people wake up to themselves and change that system we, as a species, will continue to revisit our past mistakes.

My thanks for your interesting debate Mr Fischer. Farewell.

WILLIAM MCILWAIN

Minyip

THE Victorian Liberal National Coalition has launched CostWatch, an initiative to hear directly from Victorians about the cost of living pressures they face.

The project aims to uncover cost-of-living issues by Victorian families, get households and businesses talking and most importantly use people power to reduce unnecessary costs. The Andrews Labor government keeps promising to ease the cost of living pressures, but empty promises equal empty wallets.

There is no question that cost-of-living pressures such as high fuel prices and excessive household electricity and gas increases are taking their toll on households and families.

These are on top of the impacts of the current dry seasonal conditions and more than 12,000 full time job losses in north-west Victoria, reducing the amount of money people have to spend.

Whether it is utility bills, transport or health costs, the cost of living is rising sharply and it is time to take action.

The Liberal National Coalition wants to hear directly from Victorians and over the coming months they will take the CostWatch initiative around the state.

To find out more or to share a story or provide feedback about cost of living pressure people can visit CostWatch.com.au or contact Emma Kealy via emma.kealy@parliament.vic.gov.au 

EMMA KEALY

Member for Lowan