What people seem to forget is that this man VOLUNTERED to serve in the navy and as far as I can tell (someone correct me if I am wrong) all he did was pick up survivors.
Its part of the job being in the navy! It’s the equivalent of an ambulance driver complaining that he had to help someone in a car crash. Its part of the job!

No one denies that it would have been stressful doing the work but if you are the type of person who faints at the sight of red paint you should not be in the military!

This man deserves his military pension and what ever medical/counseling he requires but he does not deserve the two million he got from Australian tax payers for doing what would be a fundamental part of his job.

Lets hope he does not set a precedent and make a mockery of the Australian military

Easy Times I do not see the need to debate with you, I am proud to disagree.
I however broke a promise I made to myself, I let Stu get to me.
As a kid on a beach south of Wollongong I found a life vest from Voyager.
Aware of that dreadful night, air craft carrier Melbourne cut her in two.
The loss of life the acts of bravery some survivors did, the life long fight some of those who lost mates and a job they wanted to be forever.
Even health was forever lost that night, also aware other service personnel Have to fight for lost health, even mental EVERY INCH OF THE WAY.
I was offended by the thread, and by Stu, head of The Australian Peoples Party.
Stu you are free to hate my party, my union, Me, but not one drop of evidence exists to blame us for that dreadful night.
I have no doubt you contaminate threads to insult , the thread is about the right or wrongs in serving personnel asking for what amounts to workers compensation.
As much money and more has been granted for lessor workplace injury.
I am aware Stu from your posts you suffer still as a result of such, I believe while serving your country.
I stand at your side offended by the inference cowardice took place but will forever shake my head in wonder at a candidate for office as you are diverting such a debate.
Some of the people who went through that dreadful night are now dead, never to see justice or money ,some never had the Chance to live the life they wanted cowards? I think not.

The military is also plagued by our legal system. If a trainee cuts his finger during training does he return to barracks to find a bus-load of lawyers waiting for him? As I have often said CLOSE THE LAW SCHOOLS AND PUT THE RESOURCES INTO SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING WHERE IT WILL BENEFIT US ALL AND WE WILL NOT HAVE OUR WEALTH SYPHONED OFF BY THE LEGAL SYSTEM.

On that night in 1964 that man was on the voyager as it was cut in half.
Over 80 of his crew mates died, personal friends included, our thread starter overlooked that fact.
Highlighting only ,he had to pick up body's, in fact the body's of his crew mates.
Having as a road rescue member and a road patrol man worked at the scene of many more fatal trauma events on this once highway of death, I know a bit about trauma.
Police have been forced out of work ,,,,forever,,,,,,, by such trauma.
Men left jobs in my road crew after a lifetime of fearing the phone ringing at night.
Most got some compensation.
None ever had to recover the body's of close friends.
Ex service men will understand how hard it is to get our federal government any color politics, to recompense our service men.
I am appalled at the uninformed uncaring remarks we read here.
This bloke will get far less than half that money, he like almost every trauma related injury I ever knew would swap it all just to have his life as it was the day before that event.

Agreed, Belly.

Armchair Judges are....,unbelievable.

If the bloke can cop 2mill out of a government through its weak as p#$s laws then I say good on him deserves every zack.

Morally however I dont know how he lies straight in bed at night, suppose that money would be a great comfort.

Could have told you the bleeding heart brigade would be on his team, Ginx your so predictable by now, what have you not had enough fuzzy feelings today?

By his account every digger from world wars 1,2 and Vietnam should all get a couple of million each.