Milton Dick (Oxley, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to join colleagues to speak in support of this bill, the Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Budget Measures) Bill 2017. In following on from the member for Lingiari, the father of this House, I want to acknowledge that it is 30 years since the member for Lingiari was elected on 11 July 1987. In listening to his contribution today, I note the sorrow and pain that he demonstrated on behalf of those impacted by decisions of the past. But I also acknowledge that this is a positive day. It is a positive day for both sides of the House to join, recognise and acknowledge pain and suffering that has happened, but, also, it is a way forward for other serving veterans.

I want to acknowledge the minister today. When we make decisions in this House, such as we are doing today, it may not be on the front page of the news tomorrow and it might not lead the news tonight. But I think in the last 12 months since I have been elected, today is one of those important days in our Commonwealth where both sides of the politics—and I think all 150 members—acknowledge what has happened in the past, but also pave a way for the future. As you know, Mr Deputy Speaker Vasta, as the son of a World War II veteran, I am particularly moved by the stories, the suffering and the pain of those who have served our nation, but also empowered by what this Commonwealth and parliament can do to honour those sacrifices.

I want to speak briefly today to show my support for these changes for this bill that the government is putting forward. In doing so, I acknowledge the good work of Minister Tehan and the shadow minister, the member for Kingston, in making sure that the mistakes of the past are not made in the future, as well. The three important measures will provide better and more appropriate support for our veterans. As we have heard from speaker after speaker, we acknowledge that the bill legislates treatment for all conditions to participants in the British nuclear test program in Australia. I have listened to the debate in my office today. I have heard and witnessed firsthand the testimony from people involved—the thousands of Australians. Although we are only dealing with a small number, it is an important number for the civilians and ADF members that were part of that program, particularly those civilians. We heard from the Indigenous members of the community who were present at a nuclear test site during that relevant period. It may have been 60 years ago but it is still important to place on record that period in Australia.

Currently, there is no scope for British nuclear test participants and the British Commonwealth Occupation Force veterans to be granted treatment for all the conditions under the VE act based on the nature of their service. This changes that. This ensures that there will be the treatment given. Although we are dealing with the three sites and we have heard that former governments have made the decisions, it is up to us now to make sure that we are honouring that service. Schedule 2 seeks to amend the current outdated work history restrictions, especially in intermediate rates of disability pension provided in the VE act, to better reflect modern working arrangements. That is an important initiative that Labor will be supporting today, alongside the government. We understand that it reflects the reality of a modern work environment where people have the potential to have many careers over their lifetime.

Schedule 3, the final schedule, inserts instrument-making powers into the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, enabling the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission to determine a class of person eligible to participate in an early access to rehab pilot program. This is something that I am really supportive of. Having read the amendments, I know that if they are confirmed, as I am sure they will be, a six-month pilot program will be undertaken for a group of 100 participants over the next 12 months.

Members on both sides of the House know the recognised benefits of early intervention, and we are supportive of a process which is designed to improve outcomes for our ex-serving defence personnel. Representing many ADF families in the electorate of Oxley, many who have served overseas and have served in difficult situations, I know the importance of these pilot programs. On top of that, as a supporter of veterans groups, particularly in the south-west of Brisbane, I know the great work that they do, particularly in supporting younger veterans and ensuring that they have pathways to employment and pathways to success.

So we support these recommendations before us today. I thank the minister for his work, and I acknowledge the good work of many members of this parliament. And I look forward to supporting future legislation to honour the work of our veterans and to support them in everything that they do.

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