Governments loudly support our Defence force and Ministers are always enthusiastic to have photo opportunities with deploying or returning Defence personnel. But when it comes to veterans, they appoint highly incompetant people to the job.

The recent attack by the Veterans Affairs Minister De-Anne Kelly on the senior public servant responsible for war graves, retired Air-Vice Marshall Beck, is astounding, given that she has never bothered to get a briefing direct from the director of the Office of Australian War Graves. In the nine months that she has been the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Mrs Kelly has overseen major controversies regarding the desecration of two of Australia's most revered war memorials, Anzac Cove at Gallipoli and Hellfire Pass. At Anzac Cove this year, she allowed a rock concert format with a clip of the Bee Gees singing "Staying Alive".

The RSL should be on the front foot asking for an explanation but RSL national president Major General William Crews declined to comment on the replacing of retired Air Vice-Marshall Beck by the Minister.

The previous Veterans Affairs Minister, Danna Vale, was the only Minister sacked after the last election because of a strong undercurrent of dissatisfaction with her and the embarrassment of an Army Officer standing against her in the Hughes electorate. Government must heed the lesson and appoint a senior and competant Veterans Affairs Minister. RSL members; you can come to your own conclusion why Major General Crews declined to make a comment.

A.O'Kane

1/32A Baldwin Ave

Montmorency VIC 3094

Mob 0412133568