Australian Defence Force

Mr FULBROOK (Playford) (15:13): My question is to the Minister for Veterans Affairs. How does the state government provide support for Australian Defence Force reservists employed in the South Australian public sector?

The Hon. G.G. BROCK (Stuart—Minister for Local Government, Minister for Regional Roads, Minister for Veterans Affairs) (15:13): I thank the member for his question, and I am sure I speak on behalf of everybody in this house here when I give the answer to that question. South Australian reservists have been instrumental in supporting emergency services and local communities in Operation COVID-19 Assist nationwide, in Operation Flood Assist in northern New South Wales, and locally in response to the devastating fires across South Australia during the summer of 2020.

However, these brave and hardworking women and men need the support of their employers to fulfill their important military commitments. This of course includes reservists employed by the government of South Australia.

Just last month, the member for Hammond, in his capacity of shadow minister for veterans affairs, joined me and others at the Adelaide Oval to attend an event highlighting the incredible work of our reservists and to thank those who employ these people. What we heard about the activities of our reservists and the support they receive from their employers was quite frankly remarkable, and I am sure the member for Hammond would agree with that.

I can assure the house that many things have changed from back when I served in the Army Reserves, although one soldier at the event at the Adelaide Oval told me they probably use the same armoured personnel carrier (APC) that I drove during the Army Reserve manoeuvres at El Alamein, near Whyalla, in 1972. I asked if I could take this vehicle that was on display at the function for a spin; however, he wouldn't give me any of the keys for some reason, and I could not get an answer from him.

The role of the Australian Defence Force Reservists has changed in recent decades from mobilisation to meet remote threats to that of supporting and sustaining contemporary ADF military operations. The host of the function we attended was Brigadier Graham Goodwin CSC, Commander of the 9^th Brigade and Army Area/Representative South Australia, who himself is a reservist whose regular employment is as a senior police officer with SAPOL. He is a great man. He has also served at Port Pirie as the superintendent of police. This shows how the roles of reservists can include commanding a combination of regular ADF personnel and reservists.

Last month, the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment in South Australia signed a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Defence, improving employment outcomes for reservists and building closer working relationships between employers and reservists. A determination from the commissioner reiterates commonwealth legislation protecting the employment status and entitlements of employees absent on defence reserves service. These include entitlements for special leave with full pay for up to 20 working days in a 12-month period, and up to an additional 10 working days' paid leave in the first year of service as a reservist.

My department, Veterans SA, will continue their important work around employment, career planning opportunities and higher education pathways for current and former serving members and their partners, both within our state's public sector and across the broader community. This includes an education program for recruiters and employers to highlight the skills, knowledge and experience that reservists and veterans bring to the workplace.

At the function that the shadow minister, the member for Hammond, and I attended, it was a great opportunity to look at the opportunities of everybody there, and the morale and the camaraderie were absolutely fantastic. I can assure everybody in this house that the South Australian public sector recognises and values the skills and knowledge that reservists bring to the workplace. Our reservists deserve nothing less.