Darren Chester (Gippsland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

RSL Australia has sent a very clear message to the Albanese government: the Defence and Veterans' Services Commission should be established as a Commonwealth statutory agency through purpose-specific legislation, as recommended by the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. It's the same message from veterans' advocates like Julie-Ann Finney and the respected interim head of the DVSC, Michael Manthorpe, who has told the Senate inquiry it would be 'highly desirable' to create a standalone act.

This government needs to listen for a change. The RSL has said:

Australian veterans who have made unique sacrifices in service of our nation deserve to know their interests are being protected by an oversight body that will act without fear or favour.

The RSL says the commission 'should be established under a separate act of parliament as an independent body'.

In opposition, the Prime Minister liked to play politics with our veterans. He even accused the coalition of ignoring grieving parents like Julie-Ann Finney. Prime Minister, why is your government now ignoring the pleas of Ms Finney and the RSL for a truly independent commissioner? We know that true independence is the key to establishing the trust and confidence of the veterans community. Prime Minister, why won't your government listen to veterans, listen to their families, listen to veterans' advocates, listen to mental health experts, listen to the coalition and give our veterans a fully independent commissioner? (Time expired)

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