QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator CANAVAN (Queensland—Leader of the Nationals) (14:12): My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Yesterday I joined Liberal and Nationals members of parliament in meeting veterans who had travelled from across Australia to plead with this government about its new $5,000 allied health threshold. These men and women put the uniform on for our country, they served our nation and they were prepared to put their lives on the line for Australia.

Yet, incredibly, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs initially refused to meet them, claiming he was too busy. It was only after the member for Riverina, Michael McCormack, called him out in question time yesterday that he finally agreed to see them. This morning, veteran Dr Tim Nelson said that, at that meeting, the minister—and I quote from Tim—'walked into the room, refused to shake our hands, sat down with his arms crossed and rolled his eyes', as veterans told him about the devastating impact they fear this change is already having.

Dr Nelson said they even raised with the minister four veteran suicides which they believe are connected to the distress around this change. The PRESIDENT: The time for asking the question has expired, Senator Canavan, but the minister has asked you to finish it. Senator CANAVAN: Thank you, Minister.

These veterans should never have had to beg their own government to listen to them. Will the Prime Minister show these veterans respect and meet them today and listen to them himself?