House debates

Tuesday, 30 November 2021

Bills

Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Exempting Disability Payments from Income Testing and Other Measures) Bill 2021; Second Reading

5:58 pm

Photo of Michelle LandryMichelle Landry (Capricornia, National Party, Assistant Minister for Children and Families) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to recognise all members who contributed to the debate on this bill and acknowledge the continued tradition of bipartisan support for Australian veterans. This bill will implement the recommendations made by Mr David Tune in his Independent review into the TPI payment and the Productivity Commission's report, A better way to support veterans.

Mr Tune's review particularly highlighted the disadvantage faced by TPI veterans in private rental arrangements. Presently, the disability income rent test results in severely disabled veterans receiving less rent assistance than those with a lower level of disability. To address this, the Australian government is abolishing the disability income rent test from the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986. Disabled veterans will now have access to the same rent assistance as those who receive it from Centrelink. This will increase rent assistance payable to veterans or enable some disabled veterans to receive rent assistance for the first time, benefiting approximately 6,900 veterans and their dependants.

By exempting disability payments from being considered as income under the Social Security Act 1991, this bill simplifies the payment arrangements of 14,000 veterans and dependants. As part of the Australian government's response to the Productivity Commission's report, this bill will also implement a two-year trial to encourage and enable access to non-liability rehabilitation for 100 veterans for each year of the pilot. This will provide veterans earlier access to treatment without the need to make a claim for compensation or await a determination of liability.

Improving support for veterans remains an important piece of national work. This bill will make tangible improvements to the lives of our most incapacitated veterans, who served our country with distinction and gave their all. The Australian government remains committed to helping ensure that they get the support they deserve. I commend this bill to the House.

Question agreed to.

Original question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

Message from the Governor-General recommending appropriation announced.

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