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Recently the State Government passed the Crimes Legislation Amendment (War Memorial Offences) Bill 2025 a law to protect our war memorials. However according to Ms Preston MP it doesn’t go far enough to honour the sacrifices of our veterans and their families.
“Late last year and again earlier this year, I introduced two Bills on behalf of the Opposition calling for stronger penalties and greater accountability for those who vandalise our war memorials. Unfortunately, Labor delayed action for almost a year only to reject those stronger proposals and replace them with a weaker version of their own.”
While it’s positive that both sides of politics agreed to raise the maximum prison sentence to seven years, the new law keeps the fine at a modest $4,400 and still allows offenders to trade fines for community service.
“That’s a slap on the wrist and it doesn’t come close to covering the cost of repairing damage. Too often, it’s veterans’ organisations, local councils, or community volunteers who are left to pay the price, both financially and emotionally.”
Adding to the disappointment, the Government has scheduled Parliament to sit on Remembrance Day this year. This means Members of Parliament will be stuck in Sydney instead of standing alongside their communities at local services.
“I’ve called on the Government to ensure that Parliament never again sits on November 11. It’s a simple act of respect, and it’s the least we can do for those who gave everything for our freedom. To the Hawkesbury community, I want to personally apologise for not being able to join you at your local commemorations this year. Our veterans deserve to have their local representatives standing beside them, not confined to Macquarie Street.”
Robyn Preston MP is Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, Shadow Minister for Veterans, Mental Health and Medical Research, and Western Sydney.
