Skye Kakoschke-Moore (SA, Nick Xenophon Team) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to make a brief contribution and to make the chamber aware that the Nick Xenophon Team will also be supporting the amendments put forward by Labor to this bill. I would also like to join with my colleagues in acknowledging and recognising the incredible way we have had cross-party engagement and cross-party support for identifying, working through and then rectifying the issues that were raised about this bill.

Computerised decision-making can act for the benefit of veterans. We know this. We know the claims processing times at the moment are incredibly slow. If this amendment means that claims processing times can be sped up, that is a great thing. But I would like to caution that where computers are involved then we, as parliamentarians, need to maintain oversight of that process. If any issues are picked up with the way that this program is being used, any at all, then we must act swiftly on that.

But having said that, I welcome this amendment and the Nick Xenophon Team welcomes this amendment. I thank the opposition for the constructive way in which they have worked with us on this, in particular the shadow minister for veterans' affairs and defence personnel, Ms Rishworth. Thank you, Senator Lambie, for being the vivacious and incredible representative you are for veterans in our community. And thank you to Senator Ludlam for also stepping in to support the push for some sensible reforms to this bill.