Similarly governments will purchase equipment and services overseas to "save" a few dollars, but when these are made or performed here the workers and the companies pay taxes while those overseas contribute nothing to this country. They should think of the big picture not just the individual budget. We cannot live on mining royalties for ever and will eventually become an unskilled uneducated nation of service providers to ourselves importing everything without the funds to pay for them.

There is always an "easy solution" to every problem - neat, plausible, and wrong. And that unfortunately applies to Andrew Constance's call to clear a wide band on both sides of all our highways. Some of the caveats? Cost. Resources. Disposal. Appearance. Heat. Habitat. Weeds. Erosion. Rockfalls. Maintenance. Nah...

But there are things we can do to make us all safer. We saw this time that we can't depend on the RFS and Fire and Rescue to look after us in an event like that one. There are just too many streets and not a fraction of the number of trucks or crews needed.

I'd like Andrew to get behind my call to roll out Community Fire Units in all our urban/bushland interface streets. Help us protect ourselves and our neighbours. We know we are living in a runaway overheating climate. We know the next fires will be sooner and bigger. We know we lost a lot this time but will lose more next time unless we are better prepared. Now is the time to be making those preparations.

Andrew?

Of course Constance is correct. Once again it seems that the Greens and like minded can only consider things that they consider important but are very willing to deny any idea or opposite view to the ones they hold.

The EPA is synonymous with aggressive litigation against both individuals and public entities. The paucity of action in this instance of unsanctioned logging smacks more of being hobbled than being goaded.

This year, the Royal Australian Air Force marks 100 years of service to our nation.

Since its establishment on March 31, 1921, bravery, resilience, innovation and teamwork have been the legacy passed on from one generation to the next, making it one of the most effective air forces in the world.

From when the fledging service was first established with just 149 people, through World War II, when more than 215,000 of our Air Force men and women served in Europe, North Africa, Asia, the Pacific and across Australia. Then in Korea, Malaya, Vietnam, UN Missions and now in the Middle East. Today, the Air Force comprises almost 21,000 members, including nearly 5,000 reservists. Globally, on any day, the Air Force has between 500 and 700 people deployed on active duty helping those in need.

It's important to pause and acknowledge our Air Force veterans, today's members and all the families who have supported our personnel throughout the last century.