A cemetery containing the graves of Australian servicemen who died in the Middle East has suffered "additional damage," a Senate estimates hearing was informed. Alison McLaren, deputy secretary of the Department of Veterans' Affairs, stated that a preliminary analysis by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission of images of the war graves revealed "additional damage on the south border of the cemetery, which was allegedly caused between the 5th and 16th of April."
McLaren noted that "the Australian government has made very clear its position in relation to the damage to war graves to the Israeli government." However, Senator David Shoebridge earlier accused Israel of showing "complete contempt" for the graves of Australian soldiers during Tuesday's hearing. He questioned officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs about further damage to Commonwealth war graves in Gaza caused by "bulldozers."
"Are you making inquiries to Israel about why they bulldozed the Commonwealth war graves?" he asked. Senator Shoebridge pressed whether the government would "directly challenge Israel for having bulldozed Commonwealth war graves in Gaza and a cemetery that has loads of Australian veterans buried in it."
Minister Jenny McAllister responded: "The damage to the Gaza war cemetery and to the Australian war graves is deeply distressing and deeply concerning." Department officials said they were unable to confirm the damage as it was unsafe to enter the area.
This follows a parliamentary inquiry in March that revealed more than half of the graves of Australian soldiers in the Gaza War Cemetery had been damaged amid the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The cemetery is one of two in the region housing the remains of over 3,000 Commonwealth servicemen from World War I and II. A September report found that out of 263 Australian headstones, 146 had been damaged.
Wade Stothart AO, director of Australian War Graves, told the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee in March that a detailed survey was difficult, but it was "quite possible" that Australian servicemen's remains had been disturbed. "We have not received direct reports that human remains have been exposed or damaged directly," he said. "However, by looking at the imagery, and the overhead, satellite imagery, it's quite possible that Australian servicemen in war graves have been affected by the damage that's occurred."
Servicemen from Australia, New Zealand, Poland, Canada, India, Greece, Germany, and other nations are buried at the two sites.
Senator Lambie's Tirade Over Veterans' Reforms
In a separate hearing, Tasmania Senator Jacqui Lambie lashed out at the government over a controversial $5,000 annual cap on allied health services for veterans, announced in the 2026-27 budget. She demanded to know how many widows and Vietnam veterans the government expected to "drop dead."
Minister Jenny McAllister and departmental officials were grilled on Tuesday about the changes. The Albanese government defended the measure as providing "more assurance for treatment effectiveness." However, Senator Lambie, a veteran herself, said she had already exhausted the $5,000 in about 10 weeks. "I'm wearing it," she said. "When we are down and out and we are trying, we're using multiple services, and I'm not even using all of mine because of my own experience and because I've got mates that's giving it to me for free on the sidelines."
Senator Lambie detailed her own costs: physio at $450 per week, and she was "trying out peptides because I've got nothing left." She accused the government of "scaring the hell out of us" and "mucking around with our lives."
Minister McAllister responded that some veterans' frustrations "are really directly addressed through this measure," adding that for people with complex needs, "they will continue to receive care, including when they've reached that $5,000 threshold." She noted that 90% of veterans do not hit the cap. The inquiry was told the government would consult with veterans requiring more than $5,000 in support in August.
Senator Lambie remained unsatisfied, demanding a response within 24 hours. "Are you going to promise me in 24 hours that you will get back to me and every other veteran out there … because that is where you are failing miserably," she said.
