Address to the House of Representatives, Adjournment - Luke McCallum

Thursday 27 June 2024

Earlier this month I had the privilege of meeting Luke McCallum, who's currently representing Australia at the 2024 warrior games. The US Department of Defense Warrior Games brings together hundreds of wounded, ill and injured active-duty and veteran military members to compete in adapted sports as part of their recovery journeys.

Luke joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1997, four weeks after his 17th birthday. He served for almost 20 years as a communications and information systems sailor. His service took him on operations all over the world, including the Solomon Islands, East Timor and the Middle East, and on border protection duties around the approaches to Australia from 2001 until 2005. His service came at a great physical cost. Collective injuries deteriorated to the point that an infection in his right leg got into the bone, necessitating a below-knee amputation. But, through sport, Luke has not let this stop him.

As I speak, Luke is currently competing for Australia, and I'm pleased to inform the House that as of today Luke had already won two silver medals in his indoor rowing events, with three more days of competition to go. I congratulate Luke on his performance so far and I look forward to catching up with him to hear all about this when he returns to Australia.