Minister for Veterans’
Affairs Dan Tehan has today called for greater
understanding of the service and sacrifice of
Australia’s female veterans.
"Last year the Government held a forum
with current and former female Australian Defence Force
(ADF) personnel and their families where our female
veterans said that many did not feel they received
recognition for their service," Mr Tehan said.
"Many of our female veterans observed
that when they wore their medals in public many people
assumed they were wearing the medals of their father or
grandfather.
"So this Anzac Day, if you see anyone
wearing medals on their left side it is because they
earned those medals and please tell them ‘thank-you’ for
their service.
"Australian servicewomen now comprise
16.1 per cent of the permanent full-time ADF and there
are currently 266 women serving overseas on ADF
operations, representing about 14 per cent of the total
deployed force.
"We now have 82 women in senior
officer positions – colonel equivalent and above –
compared to 48 in February 2012.
"As a nation we respect and honour the
service and sacrifice of every man and woman who serves
in defence of our nation, our freedoms and our values."
