Bruce Billson (Dunkley, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the opposition spokesman. He is keen to quote that almost as a defence for not having put a submission in himself. In relation to nuclear veterans, my concern was for their health. I was completely motivated by that. This government has implemented yet another initiative—a comprehensive program to support the health of not only veterans but also civilians involved in the nuclear testing. His argument would be whether the pathway we have chosen was appropriate compared to what I had proposed at that time.

If he would check the Hansard record, he would see that I have explained what my motives were. They were very clear. Moreover, not only did I recognise that action needed to be taken but also action has been taken on an issue that was long outstanding, including over successive Labor governments. It is another example where the point about getting outcomes for the veterans community is what motivated us, whereas the opposition is motivated by very base political motives.

It seems to be wise counsel that was shared with the opposition spokesman at the recent conference that he and I attended that claims processing is actually a collaborative exercise. My department is not completely in control of every aspect of that process. We work in partnership with the veterans and the claimants, the ex-service organisations and the medical practitioners.

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