Andrew Wallace (Fisher, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That this House:

(1) notes that the Government is scrapping the 100 per cent pre-injury salary for veterans undertaking approved study from 1 July 2023;

(2) further notes that the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation and Other Legislation Amendment (Incapacity Payments) Bill 2022, which mirrors the Coalition's Maintaining Incapacity Payments for Veterans Studying Bill, was passed with bipartisan support in September 2022;

(3) recognises that at no stage did the Government flag the scheme was under review or to be cut, and on the contrary, the Minister for Veterans Affairs championed the scheme;

(4) calls on the Government to recommit to the bi-partisan support of our veterans and their families as they transition from the Australian Defence Force;

(5) calls on the Government to introduce a 'Diggers Bill'—similar to the United States G.I. Bill, also known as the Servicemen's Readjustment Act 1944 (United States); and

(6) acknowledges that it is our essential duty in this place to honour those who have given so much to protect Australia's interests at home and abroad.

As the deputy chair of the parliament's defence subcommittee and previously its chair, I've been privileged to spend a great deal time with members of the ADF and veterans. Men and who serve our nation in uniform are owed a great debt for their sacrifice, their service and their love of country. That is why I have been so passionate about veterans' wellbeing since my election in 2016. I want to acknowledge the member for Herbert and all members in this House who have served this country in uniform. Unlike Labor, we elevated the veterans portfolio to cabinet. Unlike Labor, we delivered the veterans covenant with support of veterans in the LNP. Unlike Labor, we invested $11.5 billion in a plan to back our nation's 340,000 veterans and their family members.

In 2018, the former coalition government introduced a program to maintain incapacity payments for veterans who were undertaking approved study. The same coalition government then further provided a 100 per cent subsidy complementing existing incapacity payments. Last year, we passed a further bill on incapacity payments for veterans' rehabilitation and compensation. This bipartisan support was a sign that the government would carry on the successful programs of the coalition government. It turns out that that was just wishful thinking. Now eight months later, not only is 100 per cent subsidy gone, but the entire program comes to an end. It is over from 1 July this year. We had no consultation, no rationale and no warning. Veterans partway through their approved courses will now be out of pocket. It's very appropriate that the Minister for Veterans' Affairs is in the chamber here listening. I hope he's listening. I call on the government and I call on the minister to restore those payments.

I also think that there is an enormous opportunity that we are missing in this country in relation to fostering veterans' wellbeing and long-term success. I want to acknowledge the member for Braddon, who has walked into the chamber as well, and his service in this country. If there are any other veterans on either side of the House that are anywhere near the chamber, come on in; you're more than welcome! Approximately one in 10 Australians will experience PTSD in their lifetime. Veterans are among those most significantly at risk, particularly in the transition to civilian life. In transition, there is often a sense of purposelessness, a loss of community and a change in the structure, expectations and routine which scaffold a life in the military. We know that education can play a transformative role in a person's life, contributing to their personal and financial recovery and growth. We know that this is what many ADF members and veterans want. In the interim report of the royal commission into defence and veteran suicide, one serving member stated that there needs to be a 'tertiary education or proper employment program' and said:

Meaningful employment and genuine gratitude for veterans is i believe the key to solving the veteran suicide issue in this country.

As I've repeated time and again in this place and outside it, it is high time for Australia to introduce a scheme like the United States GI Bill to back veterans in their transition into civilian life. A Commonwealth assisted tertiary education for veterans scheme, what I would call the 'digger bill', would provide free tuition to eligible participants, recognising their unique training and practical experience and honouring their service. If we do this properly by engaging industry, academia, defence and the community sector, this reform stands to revolutionise the way we support, equip and honour our veterans and their families. I want to send a big shout out to Harry Moffitt, whom I've been working with on this digger bill for over 18 months. He's a great fella doing terrific work for veterans in this space. Well done, Harry.

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