OUR veterans deserve sacred places. Our fallen Diggers selflessly gave their lives in the defence of our country.
That’s why I was so pleased to see the New Norfolk RSL Sub-Branch receive $10,000 funding to go towards the cost of roof repairs from the Teddy Sheean VC Memorial Grants Progran.
The Military Brotherhood MMC and the Tasman Ex-Servicemen & Women’s Association also received funding. The Maydena RSL Sub-Branch received $15,256 towards repairs and upgrades of the club rooms and replacement of club equipment.
Other good news is that we’re cracking down on those who damage our sacred places. I’m sure you’re all aware of the senseless and shocking damage that was done to the St Helens war memorial just a few weeks ago. The community was rightly upset, it was awful and the very definition of disrespectful. Just a few days later, the memorial had been restored. It was a fantastic example of community spirit. The team at Dobsons Monument Repair deserve a huge thank you for their swift work in restoring the 150kg monument.
Recent incidents of vandalism in Tasmania and interstate are a stark reminder that threats to these sacred sites are real and growing. That’s why our government will increase protections for the state’s war memorials.
A Bill will be introduced that will deliver tougher sentences to deter those who would seek to attack our war memorials.
Currently in Tasmania, damaging a war memorial carries a maximum penalty of around $5000 or 12 months imprisonment. Repairs can now cost more than the fine, which leaves councils, RSLs and local communities to foot the bill. And, there is also no automatic requirement for offenders to pay restitution or undertake meaningful community service.
Under the new legislation, there will be tougher penalties for war memorial vandalism, including holding vandals responsible for repairs. These laws are going to be some of the toughest in the country. This is about deterring and preventing attacks on our war memorials. We must do all we can to deter these offences, and ensure local councils, RSLs or other community organisations that maintain war memorials do not have to foot the bill for remediation.
Preliminary work has started and I look forward to the Bill being introduced into Parliament as soon as possible. There are about 17,500 veterans in Tasmania as well as 290 currently serving Defence Force personnel and 670 reserve personnel. That’s a lot of families who know and respect our defence personnel or veterans.
I want our veteran community to be assured that these isolated incidents are not how the majority of Australians feel.
Mark Shelton is one of the seven state members for Lyons. New Norfolk and Derwent Valley News invites each Lyons MP to write for the paper on a regular basis.
See more Derwent Valley and Central Highlands news online and read our print edition every second Friday. Subscribe to our free daily news email here.
Opinion: Strengthening support for our veterans
OUR veterans deserve sacred places. Our fallen Diggers selflessly gave their lives in the defence of our country.
That’s why I was so pleased to see the New Norfolk RSL Sub-Branch receive $10,000 funding to go towards the cost of roof repairs from the Teddy Sheean VC Memorial Grants Progran.
The Military Brotherhood MMC and the Tasman Ex-Servicemen & Women’s Association also received funding. The Maydena RSL Sub-Branch received $15,256 towards repairs and upgrades of the club rooms and replacement of club equipment.
Other good news is that we’re cracking down on those who damage our sacred places. I’m sure you’re all aware of the senseless and shocking damage that was done to the St Helens war memorial just a few weeks ago. The community was rightly upset, it was awful and the very definition of disrespectful. Just a few days later, the memorial had been restored. It was a fantastic example of community spirit. The team at Dobsons Monument Repair deserve a huge thank you for their swift work in restoring the 150kg monument.
Recent incidents of vandalism in Tasmania and interstate are a stark reminder that threats to these sacred sites are real and growing. That’s why our government will increase protections for the state’s war memorials.
A Bill will be introduced that will deliver tougher sentences to deter those who would seek to attack our war memorials.
Currently in Tasmania, damaging a war memorial carries a maximum penalty of around $5000 or 12 months imprisonment. Repairs can now cost more than the fine, which leaves councils, RSLs and local communities to foot the bill. And, there is also no automatic requirement for offenders to pay restitution or undertake meaningful community service.
Under the new legislation, there will be tougher penalties for war memorial vandalism, including holding vandals responsible for repairs. These laws are going to be some of the toughest in the country. This is about deterring and preventing attacks on our war memorials. We must do all we can to deter these offences, and ensure local councils, RSLs or other community organisations that maintain war memorials do not have to foot the bill for remediation.
Preliminary work has started and I look forward to the Bill being introduced into Parliament as soon as possible. There are about 17,500 veterans in Tasmania as well as 290 currently serving Defence Force personnel and 670 reserve personnel. That’s a lot of families who know and respect our defence personnel or veterans.
I want our veteran community to be assured that these isolated incidents are not how the majority of Australians feel.
Mark Shelton is one of the seven state members for Lyons. New Norfolk and Derwent Valley News invites each Lyons MP to write for the paper on a regular basis.
See more Derwent Valley and Central Highlands news online and read our print edition every second Friday. Subscribe to our free daily news email here.
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