Phillip Thompson (Herbert, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

(1) Clause 18, page 20 (line 11), omit "2 December 2027", substitute "30 September 2026".

The coalition is moving an amendment to bring forward the timing of the first implementation review by the commissioner. As currently drafted, the first assessment of the government's implementation of the royal commission recommendations is not required to be completed until December 2027. That means the report may not be tabled until 2028, almost four years after the royal commission reported. That is too slow and risks weakening accountability. Veterans and families were promised urgent reform, not delayed reporting. Independent oversight only works if it's timely and visible. Our amendment would require the first implementation assessment to be completed by no later than 30 September 2026. That timing is reasonable and practical. It marks two years since the royal commission's final report and one year since the commissioner commenced operation. That is more than sufficient time to assess whether early-stage reforms are being delivered and whether government commitments are translating into action.

Earlier reporting ensures veterans, families and the parliament can see measurable progress, not just promises. If the government is confident in its reform program, it should welcome earlier independent assessment. This amendment strengthens transparency and reinforces accountability. It does not change the commissioner's independence or powers. The coalition's objective is simple: reforms recommended by the royal commission must be implemented quickly and assessed openly. I believe that it's in the best interest of the parliament to accept this amendment, and it's in the best interests of our veterans.

Many veterans will be tuning in, listening to and watching what this parliament is about to do. People have been waiting a long time for the national commission to be up and running. It's the policy that we brought forward back in 2020 under the then Minister for Veterans Affairs, Darren Chester, who's in this place today. I believe that we want to work collaboratively with the government to make sure that we can get this implemented as quickly as possible but also to make sure that the public—the community, veterans and their families—can see what's happening and whether it's working and can hold the government accountable, as they should. No veteran should die by suicide. No families should be burying their loved ones. No wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, sons and daughters should lose their loved one back here on home soil. We owe it to them to work quickly. We owe it to them to make sure that we're implementing policies that give them support and learn from the mistakes that have been made. I don't think that any government—any colour of shirt at any time—can put their hand on their heart and say they've done everything to support our veterans. This is the opportunity. We need to move quickly. We shouldn't be burying our bravest. The time to act is now.

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