Claire Clutterham (Sturt, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak in support of the Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 2) Bill 2025, which continues the government's response to the recommendations arising from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. This bill, which is further designed to simplify the veterans entitlement system, goes hand in glove with the amendments made in the Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) Bill 2025, which was introduced into the parliament last year.

Also a feature of last year was the passage of the Veterans' Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Act 2024, or the VETS act, which operates to streamline and simplify legislation relating to veterans from 1 July 2026 by removing the complex tri-act system. Under current arrangements, veteran entitlements are provided under three separate compensation acts—the MRCA, the Veterans' Entitlements Act and the DRCA—and eligibility under one of these acts depends on when the veteran served and which periods of service caused or contributed to the condition being claimed. The simplification act modifies these arrangements by providing that, from 1 July 2026, all claims for compensation and rehabilitation will be determined under an improved MRCA.

Significant consultation was undertaken between 2022 and 2024 to ensure the simplification act reflected the lived experience of veterans and their families. The amendments made in this bill will implement certain aspects of the policy intention that was developed under that consultation. Pursuant to the VETS act, from 1 July 2026, all veterans' rehabilitation and compensation claims will be dealt with under a single piece of legislation—not three—which is known as the MRCA or the recrafted Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004. To ensure that that date can be met, a number of technical amendments to the VETS act are required, and that is what the bill before us does. In essence, it supports effective implementation and effective governance. What it doesn't do is change the intended operational effect of the VETS act.

In terms of the other operational effects of this bill, it also amends recovery provisions so that amounts already paid under the Veterans' Entitlements Act from any Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act arrears payable to a dependant for the equivalent benefits for the same period can be subtracted. In addition, it clarifies the circumstances under which a partner may receive additional lump sum compensation for service related death claimed on or after 1 July 2026, and it ensures that this amount is available in respect of all service related deaths on or after this date.

Further, with respect to funeral compensation amounts already payable under the MRCA, the bill sets out that the higher rate is available to anyone who meets the eligibility criteria, even if they also fall within the criteria for a lower amount. Veterans who meet the criteria for additional disablement amounts or special-rate disability pension do not need to meet additional criteria to enable their eligible children to access education assistance through the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act education and training scheme. Equally, the bill clarifies that gold cards are provided to eligible veterans without requiring them to meet additional criteria, and it amends the service pension criteria so that, after the date of 1 July 2026, the partners of eligible veterans are eligible for the partner service pension from the age of 50, to harmonise with current eligibility and age requirements that are available to partners of extreme disablement amount veterans under the current veterans entitlement framework.

Importantly, the bill will also make amendments to continue to exclude the Victoria Cross allowance and decoration allowance from income test arrangements and clarify that there is coverage for conditions resulting from the unintended consequences of treatment provided or paid for by Defence during service, or later by the DVA. Lastly, the bill makes amendments to ensure existing access to non-liability healthcare arrangements for serving members are maintained through the transfer from the Veterans' Entitlements Act to the MRCA.

These technical amendments that have been outlined are being implemented to ensure that all of the legislative requirements are in place so that the shift from the tri-act system to just the one act can be done smoothly. It is so important to get this right. So, although the amendments are minor and seem technical in nature, they are critical to facilitating an understanding of entitlements by veterans and their families and critical to facilitating faster claim processing times. The simplification and harmonisation of the veteran compensation system form some of the most significant reform in a century to how veterans are supported in this country. The changes will enable veterans and their families to get the support they need and deserve when they need it. That is why this bill deals with so many matters—the review pathway, compensation for dependants of deceased veterans, funeral compensation, access to the MRCA education scheme, additional disablement amounts, Victoria Cross allowance and decoration allowance, service injuries, diseases and death arising from treatment and treatment for serving members. It is so broad reaching because we respect and are deeply grateful for the service, courage and dedication shown by active service personnel and veterans, all for the people of this great country.

Often when people finish service, they do require care and support, but they also have a lot of life left to live, a lot of diverse contributions to make to their community. So we need a system that is fair, accessible and easy to use so that veterans can live life and contribute to the community and so that active service personnel can access the support they need to enable them to do their critical work effectively. And we know that there are thousands of active service personnel and veterans making incredible contributions to society. One such champion lives in my electorate of Sturt and was recently awarded the Citizen of the Year Award at the Campbelltown City Council Australia Day Awards. I first met Jordan Box, a corporal in the Australian Air Force Cadets, and his beautiful OPK9 dog Sally in 2025. Jordan has lived a life of service, and every day he exemplifies the highest ideals of citizenship through his extraordinary multidecade commitment to this country and to community service. His contribution spans emergency responses, youth development and cultural preservation. Jordan's selfless dedication transcends ordinary volunteerism, representing a lifetime philosophy of 'service before self'. What really sets Jordan apart is the remarkable breadth and depth of his contributions, which are sustained and meaningful and impact diverse sectors in our community, from life-saving emergency medical services to nurturing future leaders through youth organisations. Few individuals demonstrate such sustained excellence across diverse sectors. Jordan's ability to mentor young people while simultaneously serving as a frontline first responder showcases exceptional character and time management skills that benefit the entire community. Through his extensive volunteering with the Campbelltown St John Ambulance cadet division and the Stradbroke scouts, Jordan mentors young people, instilling essential life skills, leadership qualities and strong civic values that shape those young people into responsible, community minded citizens who may be minded to serve their country in the way that Jordan did.

There is only one Jordan, but there are thousands of active service personnel and veterans just like him, making huge contributions across society. This bill is part of the Albanese Labor government's drive to provide them and their families with simple and accessible care and support when they need it. I am proud to be part of a government with this motivation, and I stand with the Prime Minister and Minister Keogh in support of this commendable purpose. I commend this bill to the House.

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