As someone who deeply respects the men and women of our Australian Defence Force, I find it heartbreaking to witness the betrayal they’ve suffered at the hands of the Liberal and Labor parties.

Former Chief of Defence Angus Campbell will likely be let off scot-free by the uniparty, despite clear evidence the medals he wears require review.

Brave Australians sign up to defend our nation, often risking their lives, yet their service is being diminished by a broken system of recognition—and worse, by political indifference.

One Nation initiated a Senate Inquiry into the military medal system because we listened to the voices of those who serve. What we uncovered was a two-tiered structure where senior officers award themselves medals, sometimes without meeting the “in action” criteria for being under fire, while frontline soldiers are overlooked.

Our recommendations were clear. We called for a review of medals awarded to top brass between 1991 and 2012, a restoration of the original “in action” definition, and protections against the arbitrary cancellation of medals. We proposed a fairer, transparent system that honours genuine service, not bureaucratic self-congratulation.

But Liberal and Labor refused to back these reforms.

While they rush to spend billions on submarines and fighter jets, they ignore the human cost—the morale crisis within our Defence Force. Recruitment is down, retention is failing, and foreign nationals are being brought in to fill the gaps. Meanwhile, our own soldiers feel abandoned.

The fallout from the Brereton Report showed how easily service records can be tarnished, often without due process. Soldiers are left vulnerable, while senior officers remain insulated. It’s a betrayal of trust, and it’s eroding the very foundation of our national defence.

To every ADF member reading this: I see you. I honour your service. One Nation will not stop fighting for a system that recognises your sacrifice with the respect it deserves.

Australia’s defence is not just about equipment—it’s about people. If we don’t value those people, we have no defence at all.