Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That, pursuant to standing order 136(1)(a), the Veterans' Entitlements Amendment (Expanded Gold Card Access) Bill 2015 be restored to the Notice Paper and that consideration of the bill be resumed at the stage reached in the last session of the Parliament.

Mr President, I request leave to make a one-minute statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Our veteran suicide rate is over 250 and growing. That is what we know of. But we would not know, because we do not have a suicide register. Two weeks ago, we had three veterans suicide. Last week, we had another one. One of the reasons our veterans are killing themselves is that they are fighting a dysfunctional Department of Veterans' Affairs to access the best possible health care Australia has to offer. This motion will restore to the Notice Paper my private member's bill which automatically grants a health gold card to all of our veterans who have served in war or warlike conditions. The passage of the bill through this parliament will help save the many veterans' lives.

Question agreed to.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Now that we have concluded business at item 12 on the red, as agreed to earlier, is leave granted to deal with committee memberships and messages?

Leave granted.