Matt Keogh (Burt, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

The Australian community has a clear expectation that defence personnel, veterans and families are well looked after. This is an important task and responsibility of government—a solemn commitment.

In summing up the debate on the Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Budget Measures) Bill 2022, I'd like to thank the opposition and the others in this House for their support of it. I would like, in particular, to note the great work of the member for Blair, as the shadow minister for veterans' affairs and defence personnel, in developing this commitment from Labor—in supporting the increase of the TPI payment for our veterans. The member for Blair also noted the great work that we're doing in delivering on veterans hubs—in particular, one in his electorate, in Ipswich, where the previous government committed in 2016 to deliver such a hub which was never ever delivered. Of course, in his electorate, he has a great number of serving personnel and veterans, because of the location there of the Amberley air base, which I was very happy to be able to visit just a few weeks ago.

I'd also like to thank the member for Sturt, the member for McEwen, the member for Riverina, the member for Lyons and the member for Eden-Monaro for their contributions in this debate and, in particular, for recognising their local service personnel and veterans communities and for the close work that they have done with their veterans communities, in engaging with them and understanding the special need for service and support that our veterans have. Ensuring that they get that support is what this bill does, in delivering a $1,000 increase to the rate of the TPI pension.

In the interests of time, I will make just a few brief remarks. This increase comes from an election commitment by Labor at the last election, but it comes on the back of a commitment from the previous government, in the lead-up to the 2019 election, to look at the rate of payment in support of our TPI veterans, our totally and permanently incapacitated veterans. In their commitment to review, the previous government did nothing. A Senate inquiry then ensued during the last parliamentary term. That Senate inquiry, on a bipartisan basis, recommended that the rate of payment for our TPI veterans be increased. But, again, the previous government did nothing. It fell upon Labor to make a commitment at the last election to make that $1,000 a year increase to TPI payments. Today, with this bill, we are delivering on that commitment.

That $1,000 a year increase to the special rate of disability pension, an increase of $38.46 per fortnight, will ensure veterans and their families are better supported financially, which does indeed help keep up with the cost-of-living pressures that they are experiencing. It forms part of our recent budget, which is delivering on our commitment of responsible cost-of-living relief. The increase to the TPI payment means that it will now be comparable with the national minimum wage and, crucially, greater than the after-tax national minimum wage that a wage earner would ordinarily receive. This initiative recognises the importance of supporting veterans who have been severely impacted from their experience in the Australian Defence Force. The bill will achieve that by amending the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986. It will support these pensioners.

We are committed to implementing this and other practical support measures to better support our defence serving personnel, veterans and families. Of course, it is crucial that this bill pass the House this year to ensure these increases and payments can flow from 1 January 2023. I look forward to the opposition's and other members' support in the Senate to ensure that that can occur. We on this side are committed to delivering a better future for defence personnel, veterans and families. This bill is part of how we are delivering on that in government. I commend the bill to the House.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

Message from the Governor-General recommending appropriation announced.

Ordered that this bill be reported to the House without amendment.

Sitting suspended from 12:57 to 16:00

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