Perin Davey (NSW, National Party, Shadow Minister for Water) Share this | Hansard source

Like the previous amendment bill, the Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 2) Bill 2023 is supported by the coalition. It covers issues in four schedules, all very important in their impact on our veterans communities.

The first section aligns the entitlements for firefighters employed by the Australian Defence Force with those for civil firefighters in relation to oesophageal cancer and other cancers, and it moves the qualifying period for entitlements from 25 years down to 15 years. We know that civilian firefighters have had health complications often related to the use of firefighting foam and other chemicals, and this will ensure that the same protections they get are available to ADF firefighters.

Secondly, the payments from the specified Commonwealth, state and territory employment programs will be exempt from a veteran's income in respect of means testing. This brings veterans in line with other social security requirements and makes sure that, if a veteran chooses to seek employment after their service, it doesn't unduly impact them.

Thirdly, the bill gives discretion to provide rent assistance beyond 26 weeks for veterans who are overseas and who, for unforeseen circumstances, cannot return home when they intended to. Fourthly, and very importantly, the bill allows grandparents to work in loco parentis to support a child of a Defence Force member.

While some of these amendments seem minor, they will have very important benefits for our veterans. We in the coalition support this bill.