Andrew Gee (Calare, National Party, Minister for Veterans' Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I want you to listen to this.

Opposition members interjecting—

I want you to listen to this. At the end of the day, it's not about you, it's not about me and it's not about the critics; it's about the veterans out there. It's about working for veterans, serving veterans and supporting their welfare. We've secured $96 million to clear up the unacceptably high backlog of veteran compensation claims. When I said on Saturday there would be $22.8 million as a line item in the budget, that's exactly what there was. When I said that, the budget had already gone to the printers. I also said yesterday that there would be over $73 million in the contingency fund, and there is; $96 million has been secured.

I have to say I have been absolutely overwhelmed by the hundreds of emails of support that I have received from veterans around Australia, both in the ministerial office and in the electorate office. Do you know what they have said? They're glad that someone has gone in to bat for them, called it like it is and stuck their neck out to get something done. So I don't resile from it. I was at a veterans' morning tea with Senator Seselja this morning, and that's exactly what the veterans were saying.

It's a great opportunity to talk about the other important measures that were delivered in the budget. There was $70 million to improve the fees paid to veteran home-care providers, making sure that our vulnerable veterans can get the help and support that they need.

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