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

The short answer is yes, the government does recognise the magnificent service that our Defence Force personnel provide. We do recognise that too many of them leave their service injured, whether that is through mental injury or physical injury, and they do deserve all of our support as they leave their distinguished service for our nation. Between 5,500 and 6,000 ADF members leave the ADF annually. The government is committed to ensuring that former serving ADF members have access to services and support to help them in post-service life, including rehabilitation treatment, compensation and income support, to ensure that the transition from the ADF into civilian life is as seamless as possible.

The government has made a significant investment in a range of problems targeting transition—employment assistance, suicide prevention and support for families, improving transition support and future employment assistance programs—for current and former serving ADF members and their families. We are providing $196 million per year for mental health support for veterans, including the provision of free treatment for any mental health condition to all those who have served at least one day in full-time ADF service and reservists with certain service experience. There is $8.3 million going to further develop, promote and implement the Prime Minister's Veterans' Employment Program; and, to support veterans' transition to civilian life, $4.3 million of this will provide additional services to help and support veterans who are finding the transition to the civilian workforce challenging. (Time expired)