Thursday, 3 April 2025

 Pauline RICHARDS (Cranbourne) (17:16): (1112) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Veterans, and the action I seek is that the minister joins me in visiting with the young veterans in my electorate. At the outset I would like to take the time to acknowledge our veterans and thank them for their service and sacrifice. Importantly, I would also like to thank their families and friends, who play such an important role both during their deployment and also after their service. As the minister knows, returning from deployment overseas can be a difficult transition for some in our veteran community, and I would be delighted for the minister to come along and share with these great Victorians all that our government is doing to support them. As we get closer to Anzac Day, I would also like to express how grateful I am to my local RSL for their work in ensuring that the commemoration service is conducted in an inclusive way that strengthens us. Each year there are more and more organisations and particularly more school students in attendance. I would like to take a moment to recognise Stuart Couch for the role that he plays in Cranbourne. We are very fortunate to have him and other people of his calibre who have served. I eagerly await a response from the minister.