Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Hinch for his question. I have had a long and passionate interest in the Invictus Games since their inception and, most particularly, in my previous role when I worked closely with the team that represented Australia in Toronto last year. I look forward to seeing the extraordinary efforts of those who are representing Australia in my home city of Sydney, starting this coming weekend. Through the issues that Senator Hinch raised previously, and certainly through issues that had otherwise been drawn to the attention of the department, I know that there has been a focus from the new secretary, Liz Cosson, who has extensive experience and background in military service as a veteran herself, on the importance of effective, efficient, supportive and caring processes for working with and managing the challenges that many veterans face as they exit the ADF and take up new roles in life. Whilst I don't have with me specific examples to provide for Senator Hinch, I met with Secretary Cosson following the senator's previous questions on these matters. I am confident that she is diligently engaged in that process with the senior officials and the leadership of her department, and I undertake to seek further information from her and to provide that to Senator Hinch on notice.