Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) | Hansard source

I'm absolutely delighted to speak to the Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Partner Service Pension and Other Measures) Bill. I was listening very closely to the previous speaker, Senator Steele-John. I thank him for his compassion, care and concern, but I would say that this government has reflected very deeply on the issues that he mentions, as have many members of this and the other place. This is a very complex area of policy, and this bill is a very welcome next step in the journey of improvement for our veterans and their families.

The bill is designed to improve the assistance and support that we provide former partners of veterans and also, separately, to extend the benefits available to ADF members who served on submarine special operations. As the Minister for Defence, I recognise that service in the Australian Defence Force often brings with it particular sacrifices due to that service. I also recognise that these sacrifices can impact not just upon the serving member but also very deeply on their families. Without the support of family members in particular our men and women cannot undertake effectively their service. In effect, families serve alongside those men and women in uniform.

The Australian community has made clear its expectations of us when it comes to the way that we treat serving members, veterans and their loved ones. This government is absolutely committed to providing the highest levels of support we possibly can. Schedule 1 of the bill will improve financial outcomes for the former partners of veterans. Schedule 2 of the bill will extend benefits available to ADF members who served on submarine special operations. Schedule 3 of the bill is a technical amendment to bring marriage related definitions in veterans legislation within the definition of marriage made by the Marriage Amendment (Definitions and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017.

The amendments to the Veterans' Entitlements Act under schedule 1 of the bill will bring consistency to the partner service pension for all former married and non-married partners. This will ensure that the partner service pension provisions are free from discrimination and recognise the differences in relationship types. Once this bill is passed, all eligible former partners of veterans will remain on the partner service pension for a period up of to 12 months after separation from their veteran partners. Additionally, where special domestic circumstances apply, including domestic abuse, amendments to the relevant legislative instrument will allow all former partners to remain eligible to receive the partner service pension until they enter into a new relationship. This preventive measure is a part of the government's Fourth Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and Children. By providing financial support at a critical time, this measure will assist partners to leave a violent relationship.

The amendments to the VEA under schedule 2 will extend eligibility for benefits to ADF members who served on submarine special operations between 31 December 1992 and 12 May 1997. This period of service will be recognised as operational and qualifying, which will provide access to the disability pension. This change will also allow for eligible veterans to have improved access to assessment claims for treatment and also for compensation, as well as providing eligibility for the service pension at age 60 and the gold card at age 70. Additionally, the period between 13 May 1997 and 30 June 2006 will not require legislative change but be subject to future determinations of non-warlike service, which will provide further support to eligible ADF members involved in submarine special operations.

The amendment to the Marriage Act 1961 removed the restrictions that limited marriage in Australia to the union of a man and a woman. It allowed two people the freedom to marry in Australia, regardless of their sex or gender. Schedule 3 is a technical amendment arising from the changes to this definition of marriage.

These amendments will mean better outcomes for veterans and for their families who have served alongside those men and women in uniform for many, many years. For all of these reasons, I heartily commend this bill to the Senate.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.