James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Special Minister of State) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Veterans affairs minister Matt Keogh has lost the trust of the veterans community because he has treated them with contempt and without empathy. Now Labor parliamentarians are privately leaking to the media that Minister Keogh should be sacked, with one MP complaining about his refusal to meet with veterans in these terms: 'People deserve to be heard. That's what we get paid for.' When will Prime Minister Albanese listen to the veterans community and his own Labor colleagues and sack Minister Keogh?

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

First, I again go back to what I have said, I think, on multiple occasions this week—that those who have the courage to serve our country deserve our respect and our care when they return. All governments should ensure that veterans are treated with respect and with care. The country should ensure that. That is why this government has invested more in veterans affairs than any previous government, including to deal with the backlog, which was causing pain and concern.

Senator, I acknowledge the concerns which have been raised publicly by veterans groups and others, and I would say to you that Minister Keogh has acknowledged—I think I read this out yesterday—that he did the wrong thing in not taking the meeting initially, he has subsequently engaged with veterans and he will continue to talk with the veterans community and, indeed, will do so more. That is as it should be because consulting with veterans about changes which are made is something that we take seriously. I know the Prime Minister has the greatest respect for the veterans community and engages with the veterans community regularly, and we will continue to seek to treat veterans with the respect and care they are entitled to.

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

Senator McGrath, first supplementary?

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Special Minister of State) | Link to this | Hansard source

Given the veterans community and his own Labor colleagues are calling for Minister Keogh to be sacked, why does Prime Minister Albanese retain any confidence in this minister for veterans affairs?

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

I again say that the government does have the greatest of respect for our veterans. They deserve our thanks. We honour their service to the country and we will continue to invest in veterans affairs and supports and do our best to ensure they receive the care that they deserve.

In relation to this minister, I would make the point that Minister Keogh has worked hard to deliver additional funding, including some $2 billion in funding to support initiatives in response to the royal commission. This is one of the most significant investments in veterans' wellbeing in the country's history, and that has occurred under Minister Keogh. We have already implemented what the commission has deemed the most important recommendation, which was the independent oversight body, the Defence and Veterans' Services Commission, which Senator Lambie and the veterans community have been campaigning for.

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

Senator McGrath, second supplementary?

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Special Minister of State) | Link to this | Hansard source

Has the Prime Minister asked Minister Keogh to resign, or has Minister Keogh offered his resignation to the Prime Minister?

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

I think I was asked yesterday whether the Prime Minister had confidence in the veterans' affairs minister. My answer was yes, and I don't have anything further to add.