Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Yesterday I joined Liberal and Nationals members of parliament in meeting veterans who had travelled from across Australia to plead with this government about its new $5,000 allied health threshold. These men and women put the uniform on for our country, they served our nation and they were prepared to put their lives on the line for Australia. Yet, incredibly, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs initially refused to meet them, claiming he was too busy. It was only after the member for Riverina, Michael McCormack, called him out in question time yesterday that he finally agreed to see them. This morning, veteran Dr Tim Nelson said that, at that meeting, the minister—and I quote from Tim—'walked into the room, refused to shake our hands, sat down with his arms crossed and rolled his eyes', as veterans told him about the devastating impact they fear this change is already having. Dr Nelson said they even raised with the minister four veteran suicides which they believe are connected to the distress around this change.

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

The time for asking the question has expired, Senator Canavan, but the minister has asked you to finish it.

Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister. These veterans should never have had to beg their own government to listen to them. Will the Prime Minister show these veterans respect and meet them today and listen to them himself?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator. Can I first acknowledge that you ask this question today, which is Vietnam Veterans' Day—60 years since the Battle of Long Tan. I was aware of the delegation because on the plane from Canberra I met—maybe I shouldn't say who she was—someone who I know has been active on this issue, and she explained the issue to me. What I'd say is that the Prime Minister is always honoured to meet veterans. The government recognises the obligation on any government that, when Australians are prepared to serve our country in conflict, they should be looked after properly when they return. We have made a range of changes and put additional funds into Veterans' Affairs to keep faith with that commitment. The advice I have on the access to allied health services is that veterans will continue to have access to those services above the $5,000 threshold where there is a clinical need. Our priority as a government is to ensure veterans receive high-quality care that supports their health and wellbeing, not limit their access to treatment.

In relation to the Prime Minister's engagement, as I said, the Prime Minister does engage regularly with veterans groups. I'm sure that he will continue to engage with veterans groups—not only this one but others, as he has always done.

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Canavan, first supplementary?

Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, Dr Nelson also said this morning that the Minister for Veterans' Affairs told them:

… he was missing an appointment with the Governor-General, which he was very upset about.

Why did Labor's veterans' affairs minister think that a meeting at Government House was more important than listening to veterans in distress over your government's decision to cap their allied health services at $5,000 per year.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm not in a position to respond to some of those. I understand that Minister Keogh may have responded to some of those. I would say, as a matter of principle, that all of us should and do seek to treat our veterans with respect. I repeat my comments about the allied health services. The advice I have is that the threshold is not a hard threshold if there is a clinical need, so the veterans can continue, in those circumstances, to receive the help they need, which is the government's priority.

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Canavan, second supplementary?

Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

():  Minister, retired veteran Andrew Hudson said of your government's decision this morning that:

… no consideration was given to the impact upon the veteran community … it's already started to take lives and it's not even in place yet.

Minister, media are now reporting that the government is considering scrapping its veterans health cap. Is this true? Will the Prime Minister scrap this $5,000 threshold today before it causes veterans even more distress?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

I know what weight the government and the Prime Minister give the views of veterans and their families. I'm sure the position that has been put will be considered very carefully. I understand the group has met with the Prime Minister's office, so I'm sure that the Prime Minister will be apprised, if he has not already been, of the issues. I respect the motivation in asking this. I think we all want to ensure our veterans are properly supported.