Yesterday, the newly elected members of Parliament attended the Last Post Ceremony which commemorated Private Joseph John Dale, who lost his life while serving Australia in the First World War.
Wreaths were laid by the family of Private Joseph John Dale, as well as The Honourable Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia, and The Honourable Peter Dutton, Leader of the Federal Opposition.
The Prime Minister has called on Australians to “step up” for the nation’s veterans, saying they are owed more than just thanks for their service.
In a speech at the Australian War Memorial for the parliamentary Last Post ceremony, Mr Albanese said the nation’s ex-defence personnel deserve better.
“Just as our veterans stepped up for us, we must step up for them,” he said on Monday.
“We owe them a debt greater than mere gratitude.”
The prime minister spoke about how the silence observed to honour the fallen should be a lesson for humanity on the horrors of war, saying veterans can also find solace in it.
“For so many of our veterans, silence is also a shield against the world – an outer stillness while within them, the cacophony of war rages on,” he said.