My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Minister, today a group of Australian military veterans laid down their medals outside Parliament House in protest to your government's cuts to veterans health services. They laid down their medals. What more do these men and women, who so served our country well, need to do to get your government to reverse your cruel cuts?

As I have on every occasion on which I've been asked about these issues, I want to start by expressing my personal respect and the respect that our government has for our veterans. We respect their service, we respect the sacrifices they and their families have made and we recognise the responsibility of ensuring they are appropriately supported after serving our country.

I understand that a number of changes have been made as a result of the concerns raised by veterans. I also understand that Minister Keogh has started formal consultations, following the release of a consultation paper. We recognise that more work needs to be done engaging with veterans community on these issues. I would indicate that last week the minister did advise that the $5,000 threshold, which has been the subject of much focus, will not apply to those who are on the special rate disability pension or the totally and permanently incapacitated pension or those who have been determined to be catastrophically injured. I know that the minister is engaging with the RSL and veterans' representatives on these issues, and we will continue to do that respectfully and appropriately in order to deal with the concerns that have been raised.

Senator Cash, first supplementary?

Minister, respect is shown by actions, not by pathetic, hollow words that this Senate has just heard from you. Fourth-generation soldier Andy Cullen today told the media that he had met with Minister Keogh and was told by Minister Keogh that he wanted 'wider veteran community consultation'. This is what Andy Cullen said: 'Leaving that meeting, I felt disappointed. To be honest, I felt betrayed.' Minister, why has your government betrayed Australia's veterans?

Again, I would make the same point I have made from the beginning. I don't regard expressing respect for veterans as empty words. I'd make that point first. The second point I'd make is that if you are keen to point the finger I hope that you or one of the people in the cabinet who did not back the 42,000 veteran compensation claims where there was a backlog—42,000—

This is about you, Senator.

Senator Cash is now very, very concerned about this issue. I wonder if, in the cabinet, she was one of the people who ensured—

Order!

Senator Cash, you just accused me of something personal, and then you react when I respond. I hope that you, in the cabinet, were one of the people who argued for more funding for Veterans' Affairs, because 42,000 veterans had compensation claims that weren't even looked at by someone. So let's be clear about the approach that was taken over there. (Time expired)

Senator Cash, second supplementary.

Fourth-generation soldier Andy Cullen said he is discouraging his 18-year-old son from joining the ADF because he doesn't trust the Albanese government to look after him should he get injured. Will the Prime Minister admit that his government has catastrophically failed our brave veterans when a fourth-generation soldier is discouraging his own son from serving our great country?

I would say that the government has heard the concerns raised by veterans. I want to say that the government takes this very seriously. We recognise the obligation that all governments have to veterans. That is why we have invested some $169.7 million in allied health provider fees, the largest investment in more than a decade, in response to recommendation 71 of the royal commission. But we do understand that very substantial concerns have been raised, and we will continue to engage with veterans on their concerns, including through the consultation process Minister Keogh has outlined. And I'd reflect again that some changes have already been made, and we understand that more work needs to be done.