Veterans push for memorial to 600 ADF training deaths
The federal government is funding design work on a memorial. It honors more than 600 ADF members who have died in training.
Four Canberrans are leading efforts for Australia's first dedicated memorial to service members who died during training exercises. More than 600 ADF personnel have been killed during peacetime training since Federation.
Defence Veterans Minister Matt Keogh announced $500,000 in federal funding for talks and design work on Thursday. The memorial will stand at the north-eastern end of Anzac Parade in Canberra, near the Australian War Memorial.
The project targets a 2030 opening. Total construction costs are estimated up to $5 million.
Crowdfunding is expected to help fund the finished work. Two training deaths have occurred this year alone.
The government also proposed new national honours for service members killed or wounded during peacetime operations. A new 'Killed in Service' class was included for the Australian Defence Medal.
- More than 600 ADF members since Federation
- Training deaths
- $500,000 for design and consultation
- Federal funding
- Up to $5 million, including crowdfunding
- Construction budget
Why it mattersHundreds of military families will have a place to remember lost service members. The nation formally acknowledges the sacrifice made in peacetime training.
AustraliaThe memorial recognises the more than 600 Australians lost to training accidents across the ADF, and broadens national honours to include peacetime casualties.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
