Victoria Cross hero Cameron Baird’s parents lose govt travel funding

The family of a Victoria Cross war hero have been left “shocked and sickened” after the scrapping of a long standing travel arrangement with the government.

Doug and Kaye Baird — the parents of Corporal Cameron Baird, posthumously awarded the VC for his actions in Afghanistan — have spent more than a decade representing their son at events across Australia, but will be grounded on the orders of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and its Minister.

“I actually felt sick to be perfectly honest,” Doug Baird told the Herald Sun.

“It was the bluntness of it that really affected us. There was no negotiation, like there had been with other ministers.”

Under legislation, living Victoria Cross recipients, including Ben Roberts-Smith and Mark Donaldson, receive an annual allowance of $5696 to make appearances in the interests of the VC.

After accepting Australia’s highest award for valour on their son’s behalf in 2014, the Bairds were offered half the VC allowance by the Abbott government to help champion the virtues of the medal across the county.

Since then, the Bairds have steadfastly attended official ceremonies and presented talks at schools, RSLs, sporting clubs and veteran establishments like the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital.

Doug Baird, who played football for Carlton in 1969-70, was awarded an Order of Australia in 2019 for his work with veterans and first responders.

Then travel arrangement, or similar, has been supported by all previous veterans’ minister, but in August last year, Minister Matt Keogh wrote to the Bairds to say the deal was revoked.

“I have accepted DVA’s advice to me that there is no legislative, policy or guideline basis for DVA to fund such travel for you, and as such DVA will not be approving such travel after 1 December 2025,” the letter states.

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs however had already approved some travel for earlier this year, with the Bairds’ entitlements now officially ending next month.

Mr Baird says Minster Keogh had previously suggested making him an ambassador in order to formalise the arrangement, but nothing became of the idea.

“I’d just like to say to Minister Keogh how disappointed I am at the decision he’s finally taken,” Doug said.

“He has failed us badly.”

“I was a bit shocked really,” Kaye Baird said.

“Considering all the work that Doug’s done and continues to do. He gets a huge amount of requests from RSLs and schools and different people.”

Minister Keogh would not comment on the Bairds’ arrangement, but his spokesman said “We commend the dedicated work of Doug and Kaye Baird in commemoration of their son’s service and sacrifice, as well as for their work with the broader veteran community.”

The DVA said they would not discuss individual cases but told the Herald Sun the VC entitlements existed for recipients to share “their first-hand experiences.”

“There is no entitlement for adult companions to travel separately from the recipient,” a spokesman said.

From a footy loving family, Cameron Baird was born in Tasmania but grew up in Melbourne, and was nominated for the AFL draft in 1999 before dropping out with a shoulder injury.

He joined the Army’s elite 2nd Commando Regiment, where he deployed to East Timor, Iraq and then four tours of Afghanistan.

In 2007, he was awarded the Medal of Gallantry after a close-range fight with the Taliban, and five years later was killed after leading a charge on an enemy-held building and then drawing fire away from his team. His actions earned him the Victoria Cross.

The two medals put Cameron Baird among the highest decorated soldiers in Australia’s history.

The minister who created the original travel arrangement with the Bairds, former senator Michael Ronaldson, has now urged the government to reconsider.

“At the end of the Ode, we say ‘Lest We Forget’, well with this mean spirited act, we appear to have done just that,” he told the Herald Sun.

“I understand budgetary pressures, but Cameron’s parents are keeping alive the memory of an extraordinarily brave man who sacrificed his life to protect his comrades, so I would urge the minister to reverse this poorly advised decision.”

As Corporal Baird died without a spouse or children, his parents believe his legacy could fade without them.

“We’re just trying to tell the story of Cameron, particularly to the young people — that they shouldn’t take privilege for granted. There are sacrifices that were made to make us safe,” Doug said.

“And it’s not just about Cameron and the Victoria Cross, but the 105,000 other names who gave their life.”

Doug Baird says he’s never accepted payment for appearances, and any engagements not requiring flights are done at his own expense.

A source close to the matter said the Bairds had done a remarkable job inspiring young people on the importance of service and duty.

“Doug Baird is one of the best recruiters the defence force has got,” they said.

With plans to launch a new charity for veterans and first responders in Cameron’s name at the Australian War Memorial next month, and with continuing requests to attend events, Doug is hoping the travel arrangement can be fixed.

“I’d like to just sit down with the Minister and sort it out before the end of June.”