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

My question is for the Minister representing the Minister for Veterans' Affairs. Does the government's proposal extending the gold card to atomic veterans cover their children, given the genetic disorders these children have developed as a result of their parents' exposure to radiation?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Let me see if I have a brief on that. Might I take that question on notice and come back to you.

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

Senator Lambie, a supplementary question.

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

Why is the government now, after 60 years, granting the gold card to these atomic victims, given there are only an estimated 51 atomic veteran survivors?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The reason we are doing so is we think it is the right thing to do. It is the right thing to do, and I can tell you that, as a new measure in this budget, the government will be allocating $133 million for survivors who were exposed to radiation from nuclear tests in South Australia and Western Australia. Senator Lambie, you may say that previous governments of both political persuasions could have extended this benefit sooner, and it is a fair point you make. But the point is that this government is doing so this year.

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

Senator Lambie, a final supplementary question.

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

The government failed to support my bill extending the gold card to all veterans who served in war and warlike conditions and is granting the gold card 60 years later to atomic veterans. Is this because the government is using the methods of delay and deny, and waiting for veterans to die, to assist in its budget repair?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, not at all. That is absolutely wrong, and I reject that entirely. Might I say, in rejecting what you have put to me, that I nevertheless acknowledge and thank you for your contribution to this debate and what you have had to say about this issue. The reason the government is announcing this measure this year is that it believes it is the right thing to do. If it is the case that governments of both political persuasions, coalition and Labor, should have extended these benefits to survivors sooner, as I said in answer to your earlier question, that may be a fair point. But the important thing is that it has been recognised by this government and it is this government that is doing so now.

Senator Lambie interjecting—

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

You have no further questions, Senator Lambie. You can take it up privately with the Attorney-General.