Matt Keogh (Burt, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

The rate of veteran suicide is a national tragedy, and that is why the Albanese government has been working at pace to implement our response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. I thank members across the House for their contributions and for their support of the government's work so far to improve the lives of current and former serving veterans. The passage of the Veterans' Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Act 2025—the VETS act—early last year was in response to the royal commission's interim report. The bill before us, the Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 2) Bill 2025, furthers the implementation of this simpler veterans entitlement system.

The VETS act will simplify veterans legislation from 1 July this year and do away with the current tri-act system to make it easier for veterans and families of veterans to know what they are entitled to and make it faster for the Department of Veterans' Affairs to process their claims. From 1 July, all veterans' rehabilitation and compensation claims will be dealt with under a single piece of legislation, the new and improved Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, also known as the MRCA. This includes a commitment that no veteran or family member will experience a reduction in the payments that they're already receiving. To be ready for this date, there are some technical amendments that are required.

This bill proposes a number of minor technical amendments to veterans legislation. These amendments will help to ensure the smooth implementation of these reforms and the transition from the complicated tri-act arrangements to the single ongoing act. As with any new act, there are some amendments required, aimed at correcting minor administrative issues and removing ambiguity in line with the policy intention of the VETS act. The Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 2) Bill 2025 has 16 technical amendments that will ensure a smooth transition from 1 July 2026. This bill deals with the following matters: the review pathway; compensation for dependants and deceased veterans; funeral compensation; access to MRCA education scheme; additional disablement amount; Victoria Cross allowance and decoration allowance; service injuries, diseases and deaths arising from treatment; treatment of serving members; direct deductions; and application and transitional provisions. These technical amendments will make sure there are no interruptions to providing critical benefits or payments to veterans and their families.

I would like to thank the interim shadow minister for his contribution to the debate, and I want to emphasise the continued need to work across the parliament to make sure we're achieving the best outcomes for veterans and families of veterans. I thank the interim shadow minister for his support for a minor government amendment to this bill, to follow. The VETS act is the most significant reform to how we support veterans in a century, making it easier for veterans, and families of veterans, to know what they are entitled to, and making it faster for DVA to process their claims. This bill supports the implementation of the VETS act.

Whilst the amendments contained in the bill are minor, they are critical to ensuring the intent of the VETS act, and the smooth delivery of services, continues and is ready for 1 July 2026. These amendments are evidence we want to get this right, and we're keen to continue to work across the parliament to ensure the best outcomes for veterans and families of veterans. I commend the bill to the House.

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