COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS

The Hon. L.R. BREUER (Giles) (14:20): With 304 days to go, every question is a pleasure. My question is to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs. Can the minister tell the house what action was taken in respect to the incorrect wearing of unofficial decorations at commemorative events such as ANZAC Day?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Before the minister answers, I gather the member for Morialta has a point of order.

Mr GARDNER: I was just struggling to hear the member for Giles's question over the interjections of the Minister for Transport.

The SPEAKER: Yes, I believe he was being sorely provoked. Another point of order.

Mr PENGILLY: I have absolutely no idea what the question was, I am sorry, because of the interjections of the Minister for Transport. I am sorry, but I just could not hear.

The SPEAKER: I ask the member for Giles to articulate the question again.

The Hon. L.R. BREUER: Thank you, and can I have complete silence? Can the minister tell the house what action was taken in respect to the incorrect wearing of unofficial decorations at commemorative events such as ANZAC Day?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health and Ageing, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for Defence Industries, Minister for Veterans' Affairs) (14:22): I thank the member for Giles for her question. I acknowledge the splendid ANZAC Day commemorations conducted on behalf of our state by the South Australian Branch of the Returned & Services League. Every year the RSL, through its ANZAC Day Committee, harnesses the support of some 1,500 volunteers to conduct what is regarded as the nation's most respectful ANZAC Day commemorative march. We are grateful to Brigadier Tim Hanna, the President of the RSL, and Mrs Sam Jackman, the chief executive officer, for the support they continue to provide our state.

We are approaching one of the most important periods of our nation's military history. Next year will herald a period of a little over four years during which we will commemorate our nation's century of service—commemorations about remembering, respecting and acknowledging, and a concerted effort will be made to acknowledge the service of the hundreds of thousands of Australian men and women who have served our nation.

Recently an approach was made to Veterans SA about an issue that has the capacity to seriously compromise the recognition that we afford our veterans. The Veterans Advisory Council was advised of the inappropriate wearing of medals and decorations by some members of the public. Uncharitably referred to as 'wannabes' by the ex-service community, these men and women choose to wear commemorative medals awarded by their own organisation, or purchased privately, on their left breast where they are easily mistaken for medals awarded by their nation. Such conduct has been referred to as 'stolen valour', and indeed it is. It is shameful conduct.

The Veterans Advisory Council considered the matter and representation was made to the federal government seeking their support to ensure it was eradicated. I am pleased to advise the house that the representation by South Australia was readily acceptable and we have been recently advised that federal legislation (the Defence Act) will soon be amended to make it a punishable offence for any person to wear a non-awarded medal on the left breast such that it masquerades as an official award. I am pleased that South Australia has once again been responsive to the veterans' community. This small but very important success adds to the list of initiatives from our state that have benefited not only the veterans' community in South Australia but every veteran in the nation.