How did I miss the news that the Government is building a new monument at Villers-Bretonneaux in France, at a cost of $100 million? Construction started early last year, with no fanfare. That doesn't sound like our Government who make a hoo-hah about every petty cash transaction.
What a boost for the local V-B community. Local tradesmen and suppliers are rubbing their hands together at the largesse provided by Australians, and the local tourist operators will be anticipating their future profits. It's not as if there wasn't a monument there; the current one was opened in 1938 but, of course, doesn't have the bells and whistles of the new one. But do people who visit a memorial for a period of quiet reflection needs bells and whistles?
The Minister for Veterans' Affairs could only say, 'But we're spending $350 million on Veterans' mental health issues.' He didn't point out that the monument was approved more than a year ago, and the mental health initiative only recently. That says a lot about their priorities. Also, without the new centre, he would have an extra $100 million to spend on our current and future veterans.
Who on earth thought it was a good idea to build a tourist attraction in one of the wealthiest countries in Europe? And what ever happened to 'Australia First'?
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