MATTERS OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE
Mrs PHILLIPS (Gilmore) (16:14): Gilmore is proudly home to 5,775 veterans, the highest number of veterans of any electorate in New South Wales. As home to Australia's only naval air station, HMAS Albatross, Gilmore has more than 7½ thousand serving members, also the highest number of any electorate in New South Wales. It's important to note that figure doesn't include all the local defence members working in the nearby Jervis Bay Territory at HMAS Creswell, home to the Royal Australian Naval College.
Defence and defence industry are our biggest employers, and I am immensely proud of the sacrifices our current and former serving defence members have made and continue to make for our country and our community. I have worked in Defence at HMAS Albatross, I'm the mum of an Army veteran and I'm involved on the ground with many of our defence and veteran organisations, so I know how important it is to support health and wellbeing.
I've always supported our veterans, our defence members and their families, and I will continue to do so. I'm extremely proud to be part of a government that is investing $5.7 billion in 2026-27 to support our veterans and is delivering on the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. Importantly, we're delivering $169.7 million in funding over five years to increase fees for allied health providers from 1 July 2027.
This is the largest investment in allied health fees for veterans in more than 20 years. The changes to the veterans support system that came into effect on 1 July this year have simplified the veterans compensation system. They have made it easier for veterans and families to know what they are entitled to and make it quicker for DVA to process their claims.
There has been a lot said about the $5,000 annual threshold, but veterans can rest assured that there will be pathways to access additional support for those who need it. For most veterans and families, there will be little or no change to their current situation. In fact, the current 12-session treatment cycle will be removed, which means veterans can access more than 12 allied health sessions without needing an additional referral, which is a real bonus in my regional area.
These changes aim to make it easier to access care, reduce unnecessary approvals and improve the veterans support system. I will always stand up for our veterans. I campaigned heavily for Invictus funding, which is vitally important for veterans in my community.
I've advocated for local veteran organisations. Recently, I was proud to deliver federal funding for two Shoalhaven community organisations for grassroots wellbeing programs to support local veterans and their families. RSL LifeCare received funding to hold two Indigenous engagement workshops at the Shoalhaven Veteran and Family Hub, which also houses Invictus Australia, Open Arms and veterans and families counselling services.
The workshops will provide a fantastic opportunity for local Indigenous veterans and will also promote the role of First Nations veterans and their families in our local community. The Sussex Inlet RSL sub-Branch members were also thrilled to receive funding to improve accessibility to their memorial hall. I'm also proud to have supported three community projects across Gilmore under the Albanese Labor government's Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program.
The Bomaderry RSL sub-Branch members will upgrade their war memorial with custom benches that pay tribute to military personnel and will honour past and present defence members, their commitment and their sacrifice. The Kiama-Jamberoo RSL sub-Branch will restore the wheels on its Japanese cannon to preserve a solid reminder of the challenges faced during wartime and the efforts made to defend Australia.
The Jamberoo RFS will install a new flagpole and do landscaping for local remembrance services in the village. I thank the local veterans that have contacted me about allied health, and I encourage them to participate in the consultation sessions.