PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Ms TEMPLEMAN (Macquarie) (17:50): Support for veterans and their families is one of the most serious responsibilities that we have as a government. When we came to office, the system supporting veterans was under considerable strain—I think that's the polite way of putting it. There was a significant backlog of claims, including 42,000 claims that had not even been looked at by anyone in the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Previous Secretary of the DVA, Major General Liz Cosson, said that with the resourcing provided by the previous government, the backlog would never be cleared. We didn't think that was good enough, so we've increased funding to not only ensure claims are assessed but so that DVA has the funding for health care, support and the compensation that veterans deserve.
I'd like to talk specifics. In this financial year alone, we expect to spend nearly $5 billion more on compensation and treatment for veterans than the Morrison government spent in their last year of government. They spent $10.05 billion.
By the end of June next week, we expect to have spent $15.05 billion. The Albanese government is also making allied health more accessible with increased funding and payments for services. It's the biggest increase in funding in 20 years and will come into effect from July next year.
As an example, physio standard consultations which are currently paid at $75.10 will increase to $110. A standard podiatry consultation will increase to $110, and a standard 50-minute psychology consultation will increase to $260. The need to increase the fees that are paid to providers was a recommendation of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, and it's the result of feedback from the veteran community that the current fees limit their access to allied health services.
The strict 12-session treatment cycle is being removed in favour of an annual monetary limit of $5,000, so veterans can access more appointments without needing a new referral, but, where a veteran requires additional support due to the complex or acute nature of their needs, there will continue to be pathways for care beyond the standard threshold. We'll be talking to the veteran community over the coming months to design this system and other aspects of the new arrangements so it works for them.
I think it's worth remembering that of the 122 recommendations in the royal commission's final report, 32 were implemented by the end of last year, and we expect two-thirds of the government's response will be implemented by the end of this year. In the 2026 budget, $770 million was allocated to specifically address royal commission recommendations, including that biggest increase in 20 years in allied health fees paid to providers to support veterans.
An important component of the effort that we're making is the creation of the veteran and family wellbeing agency, which commences operations from 1 July. Its role is to bring a more coordinated and proactive focus to the wellbeing of veterans and their families, particularly during the transition from military life to civilian life. As part of standing up the agency, the government is transitioning funding for a broad range of existing wellbeing support for veterans and families into the new agency, and that includes funding for organisations like Invictus Australia, Bravery Trust and the wonderful Kookaburra Kids.
Families are really key. The Veterans' Children Education Scheme has also been rolled into the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme. This is another way in which we support kids.
And eligibility has been retained. Anyone in receipt of VCES is keeping access to all their payments. At the local level, we have the Hawkesbury Veteran and Family Hub operating while its permanent home in Richmond is being renovated.
And, as we hit 1 July, all compensation and rehabilitation claims will be determined under a single ongoing act, the improved MRCA. So what you have is a system that's being strengthened across multiple fronts, and I'm very proud of the work that we've done. Not every veteran is broken.
The vast majority go on to have amazing careers in the civilian world. But they all need our support to do their very best. The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms Aldred ): There being no further speakers, the debate is adjourned, and the resumption of the debate will be made an order of the day for the next sitting.