Darren Chester (Gippsland, National Party, Minister for Veterans' Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

In summing up, I'd like to thank all members who contributed to the debate on this bill and acknowledge the continued tradition of bipartisan support for the veteran community. The purpose of the Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Veteran-centric Reforms No. 2) Bill 2018 is to implement several new initiatives to deliver a range of services to the veteran community and also to their families. The measures in this bill demonstrate that the government is listening and is putting the veteran community first. Each of the sets of amendments will mean better outcomes for veterans and their families.

I'd particularly like to note two of the more significant measures in this bill. Schedule 1 of the bill will enable veterans participating in a rehabilitation plan and approved full-time study to receive 100 per cent of their incapacity payment. Without this amendment, a veteran's incapacity payments would reduce to 75 per cent or more, depending on their weekly hours worked after 45 weeks. Schedule 2 of this bill will give effect to a new veteran suicide prevention pilot. I've heard many members speak in relation to their concerns regarding the need for greater mental health support for veterans. The veteran suicide prevention pilot will provide mental health support for veterans who have been hospitalised after attempted suicide, have suicide ideation or may be at increased risk of suicide because of their mental health or other factors. The veteran suicide prevention pilot will target a small subset of veterans with complex mental and social health needs, including homelessness.

I'd like to acknowledge the contribution of members to the debate of this bill, including the shadow minister for veterans' affairs, Amanda Rishworth, who noted that the bill would improve outcomes for those who have served in the Australian Defence Force and for their loved ones. She noted we made a commitment to ADF members and their loved ones and that we will support them post their time in the ADF. Again, it was good to see bipartisan support across the chamber. The shadow minister also noted that schedule 1 recognises the importance of education and retraining post service and provides financial security to those who are on incapacity payments and are undertaking further study as part of their rehabilitation plan with the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

I'd also like to take the opportunity to thank the member for Forrest, who spoke about the evolution of support that widows received by recounting the support her own mother received from Legacy when she was widowed many years ago and that DVA now provides support to veterans and their families. In particular, schedule 3 will give partners more time to choose whether to receive the compensation payable for their partner's death as a weekly payment or a lump sum, or a combination of both—whatever works for them.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to provide further clarification on comments made by the shadow minister for veterans' affairs and the member for Bass, and repeated by other members during the debate. The comment relates to the unemployment rate for veterans as being approximately 30 per cent. It's important to note that the latest research on veterans and underemployment would indicate that, in the first 10 months from separation from Defence into civilian life, the unemployment rate for veterans is about eight per cent, which is obviously still higher than the national average but is nowhere near the 30 per cent figure which is often quoted both in the House and in the media. The 30 per cent figure relates to a previous study done by an organisation. The information is somewhat dated. I believe it's important that members are aware of the more up-to-date information and the research being undertaken by Defence and by Veterans' Affairs to get a better handle on the underemployment and unemployment amongst our veteran community.

I made the point last week, during an address here in Canberra, and I make the point again today here in the chamber: we can do better in relation to unemployment for our veterans. It's in partnership with our community, the business sector, the corporate sector and industry, along with all government agencies, that we can make sure that we work collaboratively to assist veterans in making the transition into civilian employment. I made the point last week that employing a veteran is simply good for your business. They have a range of skills which have been developed, often over a period of years. They have developed leadership, teamwork and a good work ethic. They're disciplined and have a range of skills that have been taught to them and are easily transferrable to civilian life. It is simply good for your business to consider hiring a veteran in the workforce.

In relation to a second comment by the shadow minister about how DVA uses particular information provided by veterans during the claim process, particularly the online claim process called MyService, I just want to confirm that the responses to questions about lifestyle and needs assessment are not used by DVA to determine compensation but are, instead, used to identify forms of support and assistance the veteran may be entitled to. DVA has now updated the online page on MyService to make it clear that the information is optional and the answers are not used to calculate compensation rates. I commend this bill.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

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