Andrew Gee (Calare, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to support the Veterans’ Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Bill 2024. Simplification and harmonisation of the three different veteran entitlements acts is long overdue. As the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide found, the complicated and unwieldly system of veterans entitlements has adversely affected the mental health of veterans. There is no doubt that this has been the case. It contributed to an antiquated and inadequate veterans compensation system that tragically cost lives.

The massive backlog of tens of thousands of unprocessed veteran compensation claims was a national disgrace. Here, you had men and women wearing the uniform of our country, putting their lives on the line for us, and our government failing them. The men and women who serve our country give Australia their best and they deserve nothing less than Australia's best in return. Sadly, this has not always happened. The underfunding of veterans affairs because there was seen to be no political advantage in the lead up to the last election was shocking, and I hope that it never, ever happens again.

I commend the Minister for Veterans' Affairs for his work on this bill and for the diligent way in which he has approached it. It might not be a perfect bill—few bills are—but it does represent a major legislative milestone in the better care and treatment veterans and their families. Those who have worked on it from within the Department of Veterans' Affairs should also be proud of this important work in legislative reform that will make life better for our veterans.

I also commend the minister and Prime Minister for their overhaul of Department of Veterans' Affairs staffing. Hiring more permanent staff to deal with the veteran compensation claim backlog and increasing all-important veterans compensation funding to get billions in delayed benefits flowing to where it is needed should be given the credit that is due.

I wish to acknowledge the enormous contribution that our veterans and ADF personnel have made and continue to make to the security of Australia and the world. Our nation owes you all a great debt of gratitude. I also wish to thank all those who are working so hard around Australia to ensure that our veterans get the care and treatment that they need and deserve. I'm speaking here of the veterans advocates, welfare and support volunteers, and members of veteran support groups who work so hard every day to care for those who do so much for our country.

I make particular mention of two in our area: Marc Mathews of Molong and Ken Atkinson, a Vietnam veteran from Mudgee. Both have dedicated their lives to helping and supporting fellow veterans, and I have the highest regard and respect for them both. I also acknowledge the work of Jennifer Jacomb, a Navy veteran and veterans advocate, who sadly passed away recently. Jennifer was a regular visitor to our office here in Canberra to discuss veterans affairs issues, and she never failed to bring a smile and her signature box of chocolates. She will be greatly missed.

I also extend a heartfelt thank you to all those who gave evidence at the royal commission. I know that, for many, it was an extraordinarily difficult thing to do. I hope that, by this bill being passed into law, you can see that your evidence has made a difference.

I'm going to conclude my remarks with the royal commission's comments on the evidence given to it by Dr Karen Bird: 'Dr Karen Bird, mother of the late Jesse Bird who died by suicide at the age of 32, put it simply, "I just think veterans actually need to be treated like human beings." Dr Bird gave evidence highlighting "the huge potential for DVA administration doing great harm, and that's what happened to Jesse—great harm was done to him."' The royal commission went on to say: 'Across the statements to this royal commission, she highlighted that DVA itself had found its processing of Jesse's claims was inconsistent with legislation, and red flags that should have prompted action were consistently missed. She said she remained "very concerned that, despite all of the review and recommendations to date, there is a continuing failure to acknowledge, address and learn from history".' Let's hope that our country has now finally acknowledged, addressed and learnt. As a nation, we owe our men and women in uniform, veterans and their families nothing less.

I commend this bill to the House.

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