Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, I will have to take on notice the particular case that Senator Lambie cited. But can I just say that I do not for a second believe that DVA has anything but the best interests of all veterans at heart. I just want to quote some of what the Prime Minister has just said in the other place. He said that he wanted to thank the department and the ADF for the changes that have been implemented. Again, I note that they have had bipartisan support through the various tranches of legislation that have already gone through this chamber. The Prime Minister said, as he said to Julie-Ann Finney:

I wish that those arrangements had been in place when her son was in the Defence Force. I wish they had been in place for all of those Australians who have served in our defence forces and have passed away by their own hand.

The Prime Minister said that all of those lessons are now being put into place. He also said that he welcomes further input and feedback from veterans on the other side of the chamber—in fact on all sides of the chamber. Today he met with the member for Herbert to discuss this further. (Time expired)