Michael Ronaldson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I can, and thank you Senator Bernardi. The new look Prime Ministerial Advisory Council on mental health issues, which I announced on 13 March, elevates and highlights the government's commitment to treating the mental health conditions and needs of the veteran ex-service community. We will consider, via PMAC, high level and strategic issues and provide advice to the Prime Minister and myself about future directions for veterans mental health policy. The PMAC will be chaired by former Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Crane. Vice Admiral Crane, who will be known to a lot of people in this chamber, like the government, is committed to ensuring that the mental health assistance to veterans and their families is relevant, forward-thinking and achieves the right outcomes. I am very pleased that Ben Roberts-Smith VC will be the deputy chair. He brings the perspective of a younger veteran. Ryan Stokes will also join PMAC and I want to acknowledge the long history of support of the Stokes family for the veteran and ex-service community. (Time expired)