Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senator Whish-Wilson, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes:

(i) that Defence Force personnel and veterans put their lives and wellbeing at risk in service of our country,

(ii) the personal toll that Defence Force individuals and their families bear to support a military career, including often and regularly moving between cities and states, and

(iii) that the rates of suicide, mental ill-health and unemployment amongst Defence Force veterans are higher than the general population; and

(b) calls on the Federal Government to reconsider the decision to spend an additional $500 million on the Australian War Memorial, and to instead redirect this funding towards support services for Defence Force volunteers and veterans.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

) ( ): I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute, Minister.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Liberal-National government is putting veterans and their families first by investing more than $11 billion each year in critical support. We've invested more than $275 million in the most significant reform of the Department of Veterans' Affairs in a century. We've invested over $70 million to make accessing mental health support easier. Now anyone with a single day of ADF service can access free mental health care as part of more than $200 million that has been invested each year on mental health support. A good transition is critical as ADF members return to civilian life, and central to this is funding meaningful employment. Defence data shows that the unemployment rate sits at eight per cent 13 months after transition, which is higher than average but nowhere near the 30 per cent often quoted. In the last budget, we provided over $8 million to support veterans' employment through the Prime Minister's Veterans' Employment Program. We also recognise the important role of commemorating the service of our veterans' community. Could I ask that the question on part (b) be put separately?

Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute, Senator Chisholm.

Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Labor has announced a number of policies to assist our veterans and provide tangible support, including: $4.9 million to the Palmer Service and Veterans' Support Hub in the Northern Territory; $1 million to a veterans' recovery centre in the Ipswich and Somerset region; a commitment to signing Australia's first military covenant; an announcement of $121 million for a comprehensive Veterans' Employment Program; development of a family engagement and support strategy; the establishment of the Western Front Fellowship; establishment of a Senate inquiry into the use of antimalarial medication in the ADF; and a call for the inclusion of the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation in the banking royal commission. Labor continues to talk to and consult with our veterans on how we can best provide real support to them.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There's a request that the motion be split. It will be split into parts (a) and (b). We will move on part (a) first. The question is that general business notice of motion No. 1220, part (a), standing in the names of Senators Waters and Whish-Wilson, be agreed to.

Question agreed to.

We now move to part (b). The question is that general business notice of motion No. 1220, part (b), standing in names of Senators Waters and Whish-Wilson, be agreed to.

Question negatived.