Media Statement

Friday, 19 March 2004

Alexander: Our vets deserve to be treated with class...business class

"The Government's announcement yesterday that it would send all veterans who wanted to go to Monte Casino is to be welcomed," United Future's Senior Citizens spokesperson Marc Alexander has said.

"It's good to see the Government about-face on their initial proposal. That they were going to draw 20 by ballot was offensive. We didn't allow the soldiers to draw a ballot to see who had to fight? Let's be consistent and apply the same standards."

The initial proposal would have shown a blatant disdain for those who fought and spilled their blood on our behalf by allowing for a paltry 20 veterans to go, yet allow for an entourage of around 40 to give the Prime Minister a photo opportunity to use in her campaign against her present popularity slump."

"Our war veterans are ambassadors who were willing to pay the ultimate price for their country. Rather than a couple of clapped out military aircrafts with a team of medical personnel, let's send our vets with the respect and honour due to them. If politicians are good enough for business class flights when they go overseas, we should expect no less for our vet heroes."

Ends

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