Former soldiers speak on the importance of easing their transitions back home
National
As we honour our brave service men and women this Anzac Day, former soldiers are speaking out on the importance of easing their transitions back home. Today reporters spoke to veterans from 'Salute for Service' and 'Medi-links Access' on this crucial fight for change.
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SBS Australia
31-05-2025
- SBS Australia
'A call to remember': First Nations Veterans honoured at ceremony in Sydney
A warning this story contains the name of a First Nations person who has died. At the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park – a ceremony to remember First Nations veterans. Welcoming those in attendance, is Gadigal Elder, Allan Madden. 'Once again, on behalf of the land council and of the Gadigal mob, welcome, welcome, welcome.' A welcome dance is followed by a guard of honour, a smoking ceremony, and an opening prayer. The Ode, accompanied by a digeridoo. The service shining a light on veterans' stories. Squadron Leader Coen Henry, is a Royal Australian Air Force and Barkindji/Wiradjuri Man. 'The number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who served in the First and Second World Wars varies greatly. As ethnicity was not noted on enlistment documents an accurate figure will never be known, it has been suggested that more than 3,500 Indigenous people served in these conflicts.' This year's key address was from Lieutenant Colonel Joseph West, an Australian Army and Murrawari Man, whose ancestors died in Kokoda. He joined the military when he was 18. Lieutenant West reflects on the meaning of 'lest we forget'. 'It is more than recalling names and dates, it is a call to remember truthfully, completely and with respect. But in the past we failed this promise with Indigenous soldiers." The heritage of many First Nations service personnel was previously not even recorded. "People from non-European descent were not permitted to join the defence force, in accordance of the Defence Act of 1903. This meant that even though Indigenous soldiers volunteered and fought, they did so without formal recognition." The story of Lieutenants West's great-Uncle, Private Harold West was also told in the 1942 poem 'The Coloured Digger', by H E 'Bert' Beros. Lieutenant Commander Robert Valler is with the Royal Australian Navy. At the service, he read an excerpt from The Coloured Digger. "He'd heard us talk Democracy – They preach it to his face – Yet knows that in our Federal House there's no one of his race. One day he'll leave the Army, Then join the League he shall, And he hopes we'll give a better deal to the Aboriginal." The service was also an opportunity to educate younger Australians about the contributions of First Nations veterans in Defence. Hundreds of school students lined the Pool of Remembrance in front of the Anzac Memorial, and at the end of the service laid wreaths. Attendees of all ages engaged in the event, including multiple local school groups; invited to listen, commemorate, combine tradition, and help right historical wrongs.
Perth Now
21-05-2025
- Perth Now
PM's surprise move for election guru
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is sitting in the front row of the National Press Club as his campaign guru Paul Erickson delivers a behind-the-scenes look at how Labor secured its stomping victory in the 2025 election. The campaign architect and ALP national secretary spoke for the first time on Wednesday about why he thinks the campaign ended with Mr Albanese in a position of historic power and left the conservative side of Australian politics in what has been dubbed a 'smoking ruin'. Mr Erickson credited the Prime Minister's 'exemplary' campaigning and leadership at three crucial moments for his massive win over rival Peter Dutton. 'From the first Monday of January through to election day, the Prime Minister was in the form of a lifetime,' Mr Erickson said on Wednesday to a packed room of reporters and political leaders, including Mr Albanese. 'And while the Prime Minister was telling a positive story about who we are and where we're going, Peter Dutton was gloomy about the country, downcast about the future, and most animated when magnifying the problems facing Australia … The prime minister and the opposition leader were confronted by some critical leadership tests … Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Liberation Day. The disruption of Anzac Day commemorations by a neo-Nazi. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrives at the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia 'The contrast was as clear as night and day. The Prime Minister offered authentic, measured and firm leadership and Peter Dutton never missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity.' Labor now holds 93 seats in parliament, while the Liberal Party has dropped from 57 seats to just 28 and the Nationals hold 15. Tuesday's shock Coalition blow-up means the two conservative parties are now splintered and will not form a combined opposition to Labor's wall of red seats. Mr Erickson then cited the government's cost-of-living policies, its strategy to reduce inflation without triggering a recession or sharp jump in unemployment, Labor's embrace of renewable energy over nuclear power and reform in healthcare and housing for the triumphant election win. Paul Erickson (centre) helped orchestrate Labor's May victory. Jason Edwards / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia 'Labor has one energy policy and we're delivering it – driving private sector investment in renewables, backed by gas, hydro and batteries,' Mr Erickson said. 'This policy is working. Australia is producing record renewable energy, our emissions are lower than when Labor was elected, and we're on track to achieve our emissions reduction goals. 'After a chaotic decade pushing 23 different energy policies without landing one, Peter Dutton, David Littleproud and Ted O'Brien spent the last three years plugging nuclear energy and then running away from any detail, as exemplified by Mr Dutton's failure to visit any of his proposed sites during the campaign.' More to come .
West Australian
21-05-2025
- West Australian
Anthony Albanese attends ALP national secretary Paul Erickson address at the National Press Club
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is sitting in the front row of the National Press Club as his campaign guru Paul Erickson delivers a behind-the-scenes look at how Labor secured its stomping victory in the 2025 election. The campaign architect and ALP national secretary spoke for the first time on Wednesday about why he thinks the campaign ended with Mr Albanese in a position of historic power and left the conservative side of Australian politics in what has been dubbed a 'smoking ruin'. Mr Erickson credited the Prime Minister's 'exemplary' campaigning and leadership at three crucial moments for his massive win over rival Peter Dutton. 'From the first Monday of January through to election day, the Prime Minister was in the form of a lifetime,' Mr Erickson said on Wednesday to a packed room of reporters and political leaders, including Mr Albanese. 'And while the Prime Minister was telling a positive story about who we are and where we're going, Peter Dutton was gloomy about the country, downcast about the future, and most animated when magnifying the problems facing Australia … The prime minister and the opposition leader were confronted by some critical leadership tests … Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Liberation Day. The disruption of Anzac Day commemorations by a neo-Nazi. 'The contrast was as clear as night and day. The Prime Minister offered authentic, measured and firm leadership and Peter Dutton never missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity.' Labor now holds 93 seats in parliament, while the Liberal Party has dropped from 57 seats to just 28 and the Nationals hold 15. Tuesday's shock Coalition blow-up means the two conservative parties are now splintered and will not form a combined opposition to Labor's wall of red seats. Mr Erickson then cited the government's cost-of-living policies, its strategy to reduce inflation without triggering a recession or sharp jump in unemployment, Labor's embrace of renewable energy over nuclear power and reform in healthcare and housing for the triumphant election win. 'Labor has one energy policy and we're delivering it – driving private sector investment in renewables, backed by gas, hydro and batteries,' Mr Erickson said. 'This policy is working. Australia is producing record renewable energy, our emissions are lower than when Labor was elected, and we're on track to achieve our emissions reduction goals. 'After a chaotic decade pushing 23 different energy policies without landing one, Peter Dutton, David Littleproud and Ted O'Brien spent the last three years plugging nuclear energy and then running away from any detail, as exemplified by Mr Dutton's failure to visit any of his proposed sites during the campaign.' More to come .
