Michael Ronaldson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I would have thought that this matter probably had the support of all honourable senators. If it hasn't then that is a reflection on them, not on me. That is part of a $12.5 billion budget—

Opposition senators interjecting—

that is an extraordinary interjection—including income support compensation and health care. Consultation formed part of the approach of this government when in opposition over the three years prior to the election. That consultation—and I did 110 veterans forums around the country—formed part of our veterans policy—a policy which was not matched by the Australian Labor Party, because they had no policy at all. They had done no consultation at all. As a result of that consultation, last Thursday I announced a new way forward for consultation with veterans and the wider community about veterans' mental health, and that will be in the form of PMAC, the Prime Minister's Advisory Council on Veterans' Mental Health.

This reconstituted PMAC will be dedicated to considering the needs of veterans and the mental health challenges they face. The PMAC will consider high-level and strategic issues and look to identify gaps in available services and innovative approaches to address them. It will provide advice to the Prime Minister and me about future directions for veterans mental health policy. Until recently— (Time expired)