Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

Let me make a few remarks in summary and indicate to the chamber, the shadow minister and other representatives in the chamber that the government does intend to come back in 2016 with schedule 2, which will enable further discussion of the issues raised by Senator Lambie, Senator Whish-Wilson and Senator Conroy with respect to the provisions of that schedule. However, they are not part of this discussion tonight in any way, shape or form now that those amendments have been carried.

May I make just a few summing-up remarks. The bill before the chamber gives effect to two veterans affairs' 2015 budget measures that benefit the defence and the ex-service community. These benefits begin with enhancements to the Veterans' Vocational Rehabilitation Scheme operating under the Veterans' Entitlements Act. These enhancements to the scheme will expand the range of services available to include medical management and psychosocial services. These additional services can further assist a participant's recovery through comprehensive, individually tailored rehabilitation interventions that include treatment monitoring and case management, pain management, family education and counselling to assist a participant to adjust to their disability.

Further enhancements to the scheme will result in recipients of the special rate or intermediate rate of disability pension being able to retain more of their pension and a more favourable pension adjustment regime for participants who start the scheme but experience prolonged absences from the workforce. These enhancements to the scheme are designed to encourage participation of more eligible veterans and members so that they are able to benefit from the substantial long-term health benefits that are associated with rejoining or remaining in the workforce.

Finally, the bill will amend the Defence Act to enable the repatriation of the remains of eight service dependants buried in Terendak Military Cemetery in Malaysia if requested to so by the families of the deceased. A change in government policy in January 1966 meant that, whilst most veterans killed in action in Vietnam were repatriated to Australia for burial, 24 were in fact buried in the Terendak Military Cemetery in Malaysia. On 25 May this year, the former Prime Minister offered to repatriate the remains of these and a number of other Australian servicemen and service dependants buried in the Terendak Military Cemetery. These amendments will enable the War Graves Regulations made under the Defence Act to authorise the repatriation of the eight service dependants if requested to do so by their families.

These 2015 budget measures contribute to this government's commitment to recognising and meeting the needs of current and former members of the Australian Defence Force and their families. I thank members of the chamber for their consideration of this bill and their constructive discussion of those parts of the bill which have currently been excised, and I seek the support of the chamber.

Bill, as amended, agreed to.

Bill reported with amendments; report adopted.