Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Veterans who met with the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Matt Keogh, yesterday say the meeting confirmed their lack of trust and confidence in him. Former RAAF pilot and GP Dr Tim Nelson says the meeting 'confirmed, for us, that lack of trust', and veterans who attended have described the minister's conduct as dismissive and disrespectful. Donna Manton—a defence veteran, prominent advocate and long-time Labor supporter—says she is 'heartsick' to be calling out Minister Keogh and the Albanese government for 'not caring for veterans'. Given veterans themselves are saying that they have lost trust and respect for Minister Keogh, does the Prime Minister still have confidence in him?

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

The short answer is yes. I would go on to make a few points, if I may, given what the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate has said. The first point I would make is that, as I answered yesterday, those who serve our country should be treated with respect, and governments of all persuasions should ensure veterans are properly cared for. I think that is something we all agree on. If you have the courage to step forward and serve your country, then your country should ensure you are properly supported after that service. The second point I would make is that Minister Keogh, I understand, acknowledged yesterday that he 'got it wrong' in not agreeing to meet with them last week when the initial request came in, so he has made his position on that clear.

In relation to the services, I reiterate what I said yesterday. I understand that the concern that has been expressed is the $5,000 threshold. As I said yesterday, the advice I have is that veterans will continue to have access to allied health services above that threshold, where there is a clinical need. That is what the government's position is, and of course it is in the context of the government ensuring that additional investment has been put into the Department of Veterans' Affairs to try and improve the rate at which claims are assessed and determined because of the delay that the backlog had previously imposed or caused, which goes back to my very first point. We do believe, and I think it is a shared view, that veterans should be treated with respect. (Time expired)

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

Senator Cash, first supplementary?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Keogh was wrong, but sadly for our veterans this was not one bad meeting. Minister Keogh's retrospective medals changes were condemned by veterans before he was forced to retreat. Then he withdrew longstanding travel support for the parents of VC recipient Cameron Baird VC, MG before public outrage forced your government to back down. Now veterans say they have lost trust and confidence in him. How many times does Minister Keogh have to fail veterans before the Prime Minister finally accepts they deserve someone better? (Time expired)

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

(—) (): Thank you to Senator Cash. I would, again, make the same point I made on the previous occasion that, first, you are correct, Senator Cash—veterans are entitled to be treated with care and respect. That is why the government has ensured that additional funds were available to the Department of Veterans' Affairs. When we came to government, there was a backlog of around 42,000 veterans compensation claims. That caused delays in people being able to access any care. We acknowledge that there has been concern raised about the $5,000 cap or threshold. I'd make the point, again, to say, if there is a clinical need, that the access to allied health services above that threshold can continue. (Time expired)

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

Senator Cash, second supplementary?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, again, you're not listening to the veterans. This is now a pattern of disrespect by the minister who was meant to be their champion—the medicals debacle, the treatment of the Baird family, the $5,000 allied health threshold and refusing to initially meet with the veterans who came to parliament to plead with your government. Now those veterans say they have lost confidence in their minister. If they've lost confidence in the minister, why hasn't the Prime Minister lost confidence in him?

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

I think Minister Keogh did front the House of Representatives yesterday and make clear his acknowledgement about what he got wrong. He said:

I acknowledge that I got it wrong in not agreeing to meet with them last week when that initial request came in. I own that. I met with them and I heard them last night.

He then went on to talk through the meeting and said:

I take all of that feedback on board …

The government is committed to ensuring that our veterans are treated with care and respect and continue to receive the support that they not only deserve but are entitled to as men and women who have served our country.