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

I thank Senator Reynolds for her very important question. Prior to the week before last, my department did have existing rehabilitation arrangements. It was my very strong view that they were not sufficient, and we have moved to address that. In Brisbane, on 12 September, I announced a trial program involving 50 wounded, injured and ill former Defence personnel who we are going to match with employers as part of a short-term trial—hopefully with some long-term outcomes.

The gap in the rehabilitation services that we had been providing was that whilst we had been doing all those things, including training, there had not been sufficient work put into matching potential employers with potential employees—the wounded, injured and ill. This trial sets out to match the requirements of the wounded, injured and ill personnel and the needs of employers so that the department can understand the needs of the Defence personnel and also of the employers.

I was joined at the launch by 'Terry', who said this: 'I feel honoured to be part of this employment assistance initiative announcement. Completing a program and getting a permanent job at Downer EDI has changed my life. Before I joined Downer, I was a heavy vehicle mechanic in the Army for 17 years. I got injured and I could not do my job properly. Being forced to leave a job that I loved, and one that I thought I would spend the rest of my working days in was a life-changing moment. I felt very down and had the feeling that I had failed myself because I had not fulfilled my goals within the Army. I really enjoy my job at Downer at the moment— (Time expired)