Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

I respectfully reject any proposition that we are seeking to hoodwink the veterans community. I think all of us in this chamber have a very high regard for the contribution that has been made to our country by our veterans community—all of us in this chamber. So I think we should not question our motivations. This is not a partisan issue and should not be a partisan issue in any way, shape or form.

As part of the process of putting the measures in this bill together, the government consulted with the Returned and Services League of Australia and the Alliance of Defence Service Organisations. And, as I said, the changes in this measure will be of benefit to current, former and future members of the Australian Defence Force, covered by the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act, because it makes the process much more veteran friendly, less adversarial and more informal and seeks to facilitate a more efficient resolution of any disputes.