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

I do wish to indicate that, in addition to the funding I've already discussed and the funding provided in the 2021-22 budget of over $137 million, there is an increase of 447 APS positions across the DVA, taking the total to over 2,000 Australian Public Service staff. The additional funding and the average staffing level numbers received through this budget will be used to recruit additional APS staff, both ongoing and non-ongoing, across DVA. In the claims processing area this will take into account that absolute requirement to reduce the backlog to which Minister Gee has been so committed over two years, and it will ensure appropriate staff are available to maintain claims processing at a normal rate into the future as is required. (Time expired)