The federal opposition has pressured the government on the heartbreaking news that decorated Australian war hero, Daniel Keighran VC, has been forced to sell his military service medals to support his family.
During Question Time in Parliament, MP Phillip Bruce Thompson of the Liberal Party sought an apology from Richard Marles, the acting prime minister, for not addressing cost of living issues.
Keighran was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) in 2012 for his heroic actions in Afghanistan.
He revealed his decision to sell his 12 medals—including the VC—was due to financial struggles.
“It hasn’t been a decision made lightly … The reason for getting rid of the medal is to look after my own family,” he told The Sydney Morning Herald.
Keighran’s medals are set to go to auction in November, with expectations that they could fetch up to $1.25 million—a sum that will be used to help his family during this challenging time.
MP Thompson accused the government of failing to manage the rising cost-of-living crisis that has affected even the nation’s most honoured citizens.
Marles Responds
Marles responded to the opposition’s point, acknowledging the situation with Keighran was “heartbreaking.”He paid tribute to Keighran’s service, noting that “whatever is the physical place of those medals, nothing takes away the honour that has been bestowed upon Dan Keighran, rightly, and the way in which our country should view him.”
Marles then turned to address the broader concerns about the cost-of-living crisis.
“Since we’ve come to power, we have been utterly focused on the economy and focused on Australians in the challenges that they face in respect of the cost of living,” Marles said.
He outlined the government’s strategies to fight inflation, a key driver of the current economic pressures, explaining that global factors such as the pandemic and international crises have caused inflation to surge.
“What we inherited from those opposite was an absolute economic basket case,” Marles said in a pointed critique on the previous Coalition government.
He noted that when the Albanese government took office, inflation stood at 6.1 percent. According to Marles, the government has reduced this figure by half through prudent economic management.
The acting prime minister also highlighted the cost-of-living relief measures introduced by the government, including rental assistance, cheaper childcare, energy rebates, and affordable medicines.
