Matt Keogh
Burt · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“I thank the member for the question. Clearly, as we've articulated, the purpose of the cap is to replace the current treatment cycle system where veterans are going back time and time again to a GP after every 12 referrals in order to access allied health services.”
“The proposal you're making would make the entire system a nullity, which is not what we want to do. We're actually trying to provide better outcomes for our veterans in overall wellbeing.”
“We're working to make sure defence and DVA systems are contemporary and fit for purpose and that those systems have the wellbeing of our people at the forefront.”
“We can better support them through the reforms in this bill—through improved information sharing and better integration across defence, DVA and other portfolio agencies, including the newly established, from today, Veteran and Family Wellbeing Agency; through establishing more robust frameworks for defence health services by enhancing fam…”
“I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the debate on the Defence Legislation Amendment (RCDVS Implementation and Related Measures No. 2) Bill 2026. This bill reflects the Albanese government's ongoing commitment to responding to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.”
“This bill directly implements 15 recommendations of the royal commission and supports the implementation of a further 20 recommendations focused on improving health and wellbeing outcomes, improving suicide prevention and information sharing, supporting defence families, enhancing transition, continuity of care and modernising governance…”
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“Conclusion As I said in the House on 4 September, it is our nation's duty to empower and support the mental health and wellbeing of our defence and veteran community, with a view to reducing the elevated rates of suicide and suicidality. The commission will be a powerful force for change, overseeing sustained improvement in how we protect the lives of those who protect us. This bill provides the foundation for what the royal commission deemed to be the most significant action the Australian government can take to address defence and veteran suicide—an independent commissioner and commission. I commend the bill to the House. Debate adjourned.”
“These changes in the bill will ensure that the commissioner has the tools necessary to ensure that the Defence and Veterans' Service Commission is enabled to drive system reform to improve suicide prevention and wellbeing outcomes for serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members. This will mean agencies are held accountable to consider and respond to the commissioner's recommendations. The enduring nature of the commission will ensure that the voices of our veterans continue to be heard and that systemic issues that contribute to suicide in our veteran community are continually reviewed and addressed.”
“Protections from criminal and civil penalties which may arise where a person gives information to the commissioner have also been expanded to include where that information is provided voluntarily. Strengthens transparency of the c ommission's work Lastly, a number of the new measures in the bill will improve the transparency of the work of the commission and ensure accountability of both the commission and those persons or bodies subject to oversight. These measures include: Government has listened and acted The government has listened to feedback from stakeholders and has taken action.”
“Additional parameters have been placed around the minister's power to direct an inquiry, such that the minister must have regard to the objects of the legislation, the resources of the commission and its other planned inquiries. Strengthens the c ommissioner's powers The bill also strengthens the powers of the commissioner in the following key ways: Strengthens witness protections It is critical to the success of the commission that those with relevant information feel supported and protected in providing information to an inquiry by the commissioner. This will ensure that the commissioner is fully informed. To assist with this, the bill has expanded the scope of witness protections to ensure that a person does not suffer detriment due to providing this information.”
“Strengthens c ommissioner independence This bill strengthens the independence of the commissioner by ensuring that the role is appointed by the Governor-General after a merits based and public recruitment process. A person will not be eligible for appointment as commissioner if they have served in any capacity in the ADF within the past five years. In addition, the commissioner is not to be subject to direction in relation to the conduct of an inquiry, with the exception of a minister-directed inquiry where the minister may set the terms of reference and timeframe, and select the individual to run the inquiry based on advice from the commissioner. A minister-directed inquiry function is consistent with the functions set out for the commission by the royal commission.”
“Recommendation 3: Commission functions and powers reviewed At the beginning of this year the government appointed Michael Manthorpe PSM as the interim head of the Defence and Veterans' Service Commission, to commence work on getting the commission up and running, as well as advising the government on any improvements to the legislation that may be required. Mr Manthorpe made a comprehensive submission to the Senate committee review, suggesting amendments to the functions and powers of the commission. In line with recommendation 3 of the Senate committee inquiry report, the government has reviewed these proposals in detail and adopted these in the amendments.”
“These submissions were reviewed and considered in the development of this legislation. Key themes included strengthening the independence of the commissioner, ensuring families were formally recognised, and ensuring that the commissioner has the necessary powers to conduct inquiries effectively. There is no doubt that families of veterans play a vital role in the health and wellbeing of veterans but also face unique challenges themselves. I'm pleased that through this legislation we're able to acknowledge the significance of veteran families in line with the recommendations of the Senate committee by expressly referencing families in the functions of the commissioner.”
“Recommendation 1: Standalone legislation for the c ommission On 4 September this year I updated the House on the implementation of the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. In that statement, I indicated that the government would implement standalone legislation for the Defence and Veterans' Service Commission to reflect its independence. This is also the first recommendation of the Senate committee report on the current enabling legislation in part VIIIE of the Defence Act. This bill delivers on that commitment. Recommendation 2: Commissioner functions include reference to veterans' families The Senate committee review into schedule 9 provided an opportunity for stakeholders to raise their concern with the VETS Act enabling legislation.”
“This bill delivers on the full implementation of this by enshrining the legislative establishment of the Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner and commission into its own standalone legislation as always intended. Senate c ommittee recommendations addressed This is also why the government was happy for there to be a review of that legislation by the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee, with a view to its recommendations being included in this bill. The committee reported on 29 August 2025, and I thank all those who contributed submissions and provided evidence to the committee. The submissions, evidence and the committee's report have informed the development of this bill.”
“The commission will have a dedicated and sustained focus on suicide prevention. It will ensure agencies implementing royal commission recommendations will be held to account by promoting long-term change and driving the system reforms needed to reduce the rates of suicide and suicidality among serving and ex-serving ADF members. Importantly, the commission will be publicly reporting on the government's progress on implementing the government's response to the recommendations of the royal commission on the third and sixth anniversaries of the government's response; by 2 December 2027 and 2030. To meet these objectives, the commission must have the independence, functions and powers necessary to meet these objectives and maintain the trust of the defence and veteran community.”
“In acknowledgement of the significance and urgency of this recommendation, in February 2025 the Albanese Labor government legislated the creation of the Defence and Veterans' Service Commission, and it has been up and running since the end of September. The current enactment within part VIIIE of the Defence Act 1903, by way of schedule 9 of the Veterans' Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Act 2025, passed the parliament in February 2025 and ensured that the commission could be up and running by September and not be subject to the vagaries of an intervening federal election. The role of this new statutory oversight entity is to provide independent oversight and evidence based advice to drive system reform to improve suicide prevention and wellbeing outcomes for the defence and veteran community.”
“I move: That this bill be now read a second time. Introduction The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide delivered its final report in September last year. It contained 122 recommendations. Recommendation 122 was that the government establish a new statutory entity to oversee system reform across the whole defence ecosystem. The royal commission said that this was its most important recommendation. It went on to say that it considered that this recommendation would 'underpin all the recommendations that precede it' and be 'the most significant action the Australian government can take to address defence and veteran suicide'.”
“With the largest investment into Medicare ever, we've expanded the bulk-billing incentive to all Australians and are boosting payments to practices that bulk-bill every patient. In my community of Burt, we've already seen clinics signing up to bulk-bill every patient, and by 2030 nine out of every 10 visits to the GP will be bulk-billed, with triple the number of practices bulk-billing every patient. You can find a fully bulk-billed practice in our community by visiting the Healthdirect website. After a decade of Liberal cuts and neglect, we're turning around the freefall that they left our Medicare system in. Labor created Medicare, and the Albanese government is strengthening it.”
“In August Dr Raji was named the Western Australian GP of the Year by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and awarded the 2025 AMA President's Award. This month Dr Raji was named Australia's 2025 GP of the Year by the RACGP for her 'tireless and empathetic service', especially to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. Congratulations to Dr Raji. Our community is so proud of you and grateful for the work that you do. It might be time to buy a new trophy cabinet, though! This is all important because accessing a GP when you're sick should not be a struggle. The Albanese Labor government is delivering more bulk-billing for all Australians so that we can all see a GP for free.”
“One clinic leading the way is Pramana Medical Centre in Gosnells, who walked Assistant Minister Kearney and me through their engagement with the program. Pramana is a leading general practice in our community and indeed in the country. Named Medicare champion award clinic earlier this year by the Minister for Health and Ageing, Pramana was just one of two centres in Western Australia receiving an award for their support to vulnerable communities and an innovative model of care. I also want to offer my congratulations to Dr Raji Kirshnan from Pramana Medical Centre, who this year has been recognised with multiple awards for the amazing support she provides in Gosnells, with constant effort to reach disadvantaged communities and go that extra mile.”
“Last week I welcomed the Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence to my community to see a new approach to supporting people in WA impacted by family, domestic and sexual violence. The Perth South FDSV Local Link pilot will help general practice teams to intervene early and connect victims-survivors with support. The pilot program in our community sees Anglicare in partnership with Starick, a local domestic violence support service that I was proud to be the chairperson of before entering parliament. Through this partnership, they are embedding social workers into general practice clinics in Perth's south-east, with plans to expand the program to accept referrals from any GP clinic in Gosnells and Armadale.”
“Members have also shared the importance of this reform following the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. Importantly, this bill continues our work to implement the recommendations of the royal commission. I thank our serving personnel, veterans and families as well as the ex-service organisations who continue to engage as we undertake this important reform and create a better and simpler veterans entitlement system. I commend the bill to the House. Question agreed to. Bill read a second time. Message from the Governor-General recommending appropriation announced.”
“He and I speak regularly about the work he has done supporting the new veterans and families hub in Darwin, the recently-opened new Darwin Services Club and homeless veterans in his community. And I thank the member for Casey for his contribution just now in particular acknowledging the work done in his community, as we see being done all over Australia, by so many ex-service organisations in commemorating the service of our Defence Force personnel on days like Remembrance Day, Anzac Day and other days of special commemoration. All members have spoken about their engagement with veterans, families and ex-service organisations in their electorates, and the difference a better and simpler veterans entitlement system will make in their community.”
“Whilst all his comments in relation to that were not entirely accurate, I look forward to continuing to work constructively with him in relation to those matters—as we seek to do with all matters concerning our veteran and serving community. The member for Sturt made a great contribution acknowledging the work of the Military and Emergency Services Health Australia organisation in her electorate. The member for Riverina, another former Minister for Veterans' Affairs, also spoke about the work we did together announcing funding for the veteran wellbeing hub in his community of Wagga Wagga as well as the Pro Patria organisation, and the great work they are doing. The member for Solomon, as the Special Envoy for Veterans' Affairs, has been doing great work not just in his community in Darwin and the Northern Territory but around Australia.”
“I thank members for their contributions to the debate on the Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) Bill 2025. I thank all those who have participated, especially those who have served themselves, for sharing their experiences in the debate on this bill. I note in particular the contributions from the member for Petrie in that regard as well as the member for Solomon. I also acknowledge the contribution made by the shadow minister, the member for Gippsland, and thank him for his bipartisan support not just for this legislation but for the VETS Act itself as well as the related legislation. I also acknowledge he made some comments about some other legislation in the course of the debate.”
“The reason the Prime Minister put out that press release in the first place was that the previous government, despite the tribunal's recommendation, said no and set up a completely separate process because of the pressure brought by veterans and by this government when it was in opposition. Stop misleading people, shadow minister.”
“I thank the member for his question, because it goes to the heart of one of the problems in his critique of the legislation that's being considered by the House at the moment. While we are attempting to modernise the way in which the tribunal operates, he tries to use as an example, which he did just then, (1) a matter where an application could still be brought to Defence for such honour to be bestowed, (2) a matter that an inquiry could still be conducted in relation to and, most importantly, (3) one in which he tries to imply that what the tribunal did in the case of Teddy Sheean was the thing that affected the previous government's decision.”
“These amendments together will clarify and make minor adjustments to the veterans legislation to align with the government's original policy intention to simplify and harmonise the veteran compensation system, making the most significant reform to how we support veterans in a century. This will enable veterans and families to get the support they need and deserve, when they need it. I commend the bill to the House. Debate adjourned.”
“The bill also strengthens the review rights for decisions made under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA), before the commencement of the new review pathway on 21 April 2025, and beyond that date. While the VETS act amended the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2004 to preserve the former section 62 review rights in relation to DRCA determinations made before 21 April 2025, this amendment will ensure a clear and unambiguous basis for these arrangements and reaffirm the primacy of the single review pathway.”
“This includes instruments that will give effect to the presumptive liability rules that will assist the government and the Department of Veterans' Affairs to more flexibly respond to emerging conditions. It would also include transition arrangements for the guide used for permanent impairment assessments, which contains much of the operational detail and calculations used to assess an individual veteran's claims when they transition to the MRCA. The bill will also remove ambiguity in the legislation for veterans and families seeking review of a DVA decision and clarify the interpretation of eligibility for important funeral benefits, to ensure claims for funeral compensation are determined according to the act under which they are lodged, and the correct entitlements are available as quickly as possible.”
“This bill proposes a number of minor technical amendments to this legislation to ensure the smooth implementation of these reforms and the transition from the previous complicated tri-act arrangement to the single ongoing act. These amendments do not change the intent agreed to through the passage of the VETS act. The bill will clarify the powers of the existing Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission and Repatriation Commission as they transition to a single Repatriation Commission. The bill inserts new transitional provisions to allow the existing Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission to make instruments by prior to 1 July 2026, which will continue in effect after 1 July 2026, where it would be beneficial to support a smooth uninterrupted transition to a single act.”
“In February this year we passed the VETS act—the Veterans Entitlements Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Act. That means that from the middle of 2026, all veteran claims will be assessed for compensation and rehabilitation under one single piece of legislation that will be simpler to use and faster to process—the new and improved Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004—the MRCA. This is the most significant reform to how we support veterans in a century and means we'll be able to better provide the services and supports the veteran community needs, when they need them. Since these reforms were passed, we have been preparing for this significant reform—making veterans aware of the changes to come, upskilling delegates within the department, training advocates and updating computer systems.”
“I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I am pleased to introduce the Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No 1) Bill 2025. This bill continues our government's response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide and our commitment to implementing a better and simpler veterans' entitlements system so that veterans and families can access the support they need and deserve, faster. For too long the complexity of the veterans' entitlements system has been a source of frustration for veterans and families, with the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide's interim report finding this was a contributor to suicidality amongst our veteran community. We worked with a range of stakeholders to develop the way forward.”
“Together, we need to take a loss and flip these feedback loops from negative to positive. The way our country operates today cannot continue. We must adapt, respect and cooperate with nature. Progress is already being made, but it isn't enough. I urge the government to take a real step towards sustainability. Towards a better tomorrow for, not just young Australians, but all Australians, now. Thank you, Yizhen, for your contribution to the Australian parliament. I was proud to be able to read your speech here today.”
“But what does that actually achieve when our houses all run on fossil fuels, and public transport is so inconvenient that driving is near inescapable. It is impossible for us to do what is right when harming the environment is so deeply embedded in our lives. When every step we take is, without exaggeration, a stab in the heart of our dying planet. Individuals cannot fix this. We need collective, legislated action. First we must make our energy sources renewable. Renewable energy powers more renewable infrastructure, gradually taking us to sustainable production. We need to start taking carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere by integrating greenery into our cities. We need to phase out burning, mining and exporting of fossil fuels. To prepare, we must start investing in and training people for new industries.”
“In that same vein, Raise Our Voice Australia gives young people a chance to have their voices heard in the Australian parliament, this year asking the question, 'What steps should the government take today to build a better tomorrow for young Australians?' Today I'm reading a speech on climate change from Yizhen, who lives in the electorate of Burt: The climate crisis is a looming challenge that we cannot continue to procrastinate. As a young person, I feel the responsibility of restoring our Earth. I also feel a sense of helplessness. I am unsure of what I can do and if what I can do will really matter. I can sort my recycling and turn off the lights. I can protest and write emails to politicians.”
“Just because school students can't vote yet doesn't mean they shouldn't have a voice in our national conversation. Engaging with young people shouldn't be an afterthought, and that's why for the last eight years I've hosted the Burt Young Leaders Forum. At the forum, high-school students from across my community are invited to present speeches on the issues that are important to them and then discuss what actions could be taken to resolve them. The issues they raise impact the whole of society, such as housing affordability, climate change, the cost of living and mental health.”
“We've restored 17 markets where trade was lost and made 107 improvements to existing markets, all to help our farmers and producers. We are a government that backs manufacturing through thick and thin. We are prepared to invest, and we are prepared to support—something that, based on the speech we just heard, those in the opposition want to walk away from, from supporting our industries. We make sure that we protect our vital national interest and our national security by supporting our manufacturing industries and supporting our national capability. Those opposite have nothing to offer except a track record of failure. The Albanese government is rebuilding Australia's industrial base. The government is building a more productive and resilient economy. That means good jobs for all Australians. We will never get that from the coalition.”
“Just like their overall defence policy more generally, it was all headline and no substance—no real commitment to Australian content when they were in government, and no real commitment to developing our sovereign capability. Then we come to agriculture, which of course the member for Maranoa is very invested in. No government has done more for improving market access for our agricultural sector than the Albanese government and of course the trade minister, Senator Don Farrell. The value of production in agriculture, fisheries and forestry will pass $100 billion this financial year. We've reopened access to China. That's $20 billion worth of trade. And of course we've finalised a number of free-trade agreements. We've opened 29 new markets. We've protected 81 of our markets in the face of trade threats.”
“It's a $1.7 billion investment in developing long-range undersea autonomous vehicles to be made right here in Australia. It's great Australian technology built by Australian skilled workers to help bolster our national security. As I stood with the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister only a few weeks ago in Henderson Western Australia, we announced a further $12 billion investment in developing the Henderson maritime complex—which will be, in total, a $24 billion project. That will see and support the building of landing craft for Army, the building of new frigates and of course our AUKUS capabilities in Western Australia. It will see Defence industry become the second biggest industry in Western Australia. But those opposite didn't have a plan for Defence industry; they just had talking points.”
“We've been backing the manufacturing sector since day one, with $15 billion through the National Reconstruction Fund, $500 million through the Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund for clean energy manufacturing—including batteries—and $400 million through the Industry Growth Program. We're setting up a new $1 billion economic resilience program through the National Reconstruction Fund. There's $2 billion for the green aluminium production credit and a $5 billion net zero fund. But it doesn't stop there. Of course there's defence as well. Nowhere is it more true than in developing our defence capabilities that we invest in our manufacturing here in Australia. Take, for example, the recent announcement of the Ghost Shark project, which was launched by the Deputy Prime Minister.”
“The minister said this morning—I heard him on the radio—that these are vital industries for Australia's national interest, critical to our economic future. The Mount Isa copper smelter, for example, makes half of our copper output. The Whyalla steelworks make most of the rebar for construction. These industries need a strong champion at their side to support them through difficult global conditions. That's exactly what the Albanese government is, and we are seeing results. There are 7,500 more manufacturing businesses now than there were in 2020. This means more good jobs and more investment opportunities. We need to make the Australian economy more productive. That means we need a thriving manufacturing sector, and of course we've been doing that.”
“The contrast of the record of those opposite when in government to the record of this government could not be more stark, which is what makes this MPI topic even the more foolish. If you want to support manufacturing, you need to do more than just shoot off some Facebook reels in a driveway. You need to actually show up, just like the industry minister did this week in Mount Isa—working with industry and the Queensland government for an investment of $600 million to secure the future of regional jobs in North Queensland and ensuring 600 jobs. That's just like what this government did in Whyalla in South Australia and with the Nyrstar plan in Tasmania. And this is about more than just those jobs and those regional economies.”
“He said, 'I want to see us making complex things again, because I'm ambitious for my country.' He should probably say that to the member for Mitchell, who's actually their industry spokesperson. But something tells me they're taking a break from each other at the moment. No matter what the member for Canning or the member for Mitchell, or even the Leader of the Opposition, says or doesn't say, nothing can erase their record. They have never supported manufacturing and, despite the bluster from one of their MPs for his own political purposes, they never will. But it was at least nice to see the member for Canning effectively endorsing Labor's approach to supporting making more here in Australia.”
“They went into the last election with a policy to rip up the National Reconstruction Fund—the biggest investment in domestic manufacturing in a generation—after they'd already slayed our manufacturing base here in Australia. It's crazily brave from their tactics committee, on the basis of the shambles they were in when they were in government as a coalition, to bring up this topic as the MPI now. But there is a lone wolf—sorry, I mean a lone voice—on the other side that is prepared to bring a challenge to the current liberal orthodoxy of industry policy. Of course, I refer to none other than the member of Canning. Draping himself over a 1969 Ford Falcon like he was Liza Minnelli, he said that it's 'an Aussie car made by Aussie workers for the Australian people' on his Facebook video.”
“When we came into government to establish our Future Made In Australia agenda to rebuild manufacturing in this country under the great leadership of the former minister—the member for Chifley over there—what did they do? They opposed the $23 billion that we were putting into manufacturing through Future Made in Australia. They voted against energy bill relief for our manufacturing sector, and, when we brought in tax cuts for every single manufacturing worker in Australia, they decided they wanted to have an early election about it. During the last parliament, when the current Leader of the Opposition was their industry spokesperson, she used to go around calling Australian manufacturing a graveyard. I wonder why that was!”
“You could power the city of Perth, the city of lights, on the hypocrisy contained in the topic of the MPI today. Of course, after listening to that contribution from the Leader of the Nationals, not only is he walking out; the students that are worried about their future in this country walked out as well. They couldn't even last the whole 10 minutes of listening to the Leader of the Nationals. Why is that? It's because of their record in government. No government did more to devastate the Australian manufacturing sector than the last Liberal government. They sent the car industry packing. They sent more than 100,000 manufacturing jobs offshore under their watch. They were always talking down industry with their extreme anti-manufacturing agenda, and it didn't stop there.”
“The Albanese Labor government is working to deliver the defence capabilities Australia needs and the dignity the veteran community deserves.”
“That's why we're simplifying and harmonising the veterans' compensation system that causes confusion and frustration, which the royal commission found was a contributor to suicidality amongst our veteran community. We passed the VETS Act, the Veterans' Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Act, in February this year. This means that from the middle of 2026 all veteran claims will be assessed for compensation and rehabilitation under one single piece of legislation that will be simpler to use and faster to process. This is the most significant reform to how we support veterans in a century. It means we will be able to better provide the services and supports those in the veteran community need when they need them.”
“By the time we hit the 12-month anniversary of the final report, the Albanese government had made significant progress in response, with nine recommendations fully implemented and work underway on 110 other recommendations. The government's focus has been on reforms that address the immediate health and safety of current and former serving ADF personnel and their families. That's why we got to work on improving access to services and supports while the royal commission was still underway, clearing the backlog of some 42,000 veteran claims ahead of schedule. Good progress is also being made on speeding up the system, but there is more to do.”
“In December, just three months after the final report was delivered, we accepted 104 recommendations and noted 17 for further work. By February this year, we had legislated a new, independent, statutory oversight body, deemed the most important recommendation by the royal commission. The Defence and Veterans' Service Commission will oversee long-term reform aimed at fixing a broken system. It is now up and running, with a $44.5 million budget for the next four years. We have also established a taskforce within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to guide the implementation of recommendations across government.”
“This is thanks to almost $1 billion of Albanese government investments in recruitment and retention initiatives, including continuation bonuses, improved pay and conditions for personnel, an expanded ADF family health program and improved access to housing. The Albanese government has also made the commitment to defence personnel, veterans and their families that, whatever may befall them during their service, they will be properly looked after and their service acknowledged, respected and commemorated by a grateful nation. A little over a year ago, the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide delivered its final report, making 122 recommendations. It showed us that, for too long, ADF members, veterans and their families did not get the support they deserved and expected. We are acting quickly.”
“Under those opposite, over almost a decade in government, the permanent Australian Defence Force grew by only 2,047 personnel. This was a net increase in our ADF permanent workforce of just 200 a year. Under our government, the ADF has in just 12 months increased headcount by 2,418. Recruitment and retention in the Australian Defence Force is now growing again, thanks to the Albanese government's investments and initiatives, following years of coalition neglect. Under the Albanese government in the financial year 2024-25, we enlisted the most personnel in 15 years, and ADF separation rates have dropped to well below the 10-year average.”
“As we face the most challenging strategic circumstances in our region since World War II, this government has asked the foundational questions about our strategic landscape in order to grow our capability. We are investing an additional $10.6 billion over the forward estimates, and, with the initial commitment of $12 billion towards the defence precinct in Henderson, Western Australia, we are investing an additional $70 billion over the next decade. But people are our most important Defence Force capability. The Albanese government is committed to an ADF that Australians are attracted to serving in, confident that they and their families are respected and well supported by their leadership, their mates and the broader Defence Organisation.”
“I move: That further statements on the update on the implementation of the recommendations of the final report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide be permitted in the Federation Chamber. Question agreed to.”