QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:01): The short answer is yes. I would go on to make a few points, if I may, given what the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate has said. The first point I would make is that, as I answered yesterday, those who serve our country should be treated with respect, and governments of all persuasions should ensure veterans are properly cared for.

I think that is something we all agree on. If you have the courage to step forward and serve your country, then your country should ensure you are properly supported after that service. The second point I would make is that Minister Keogh, I understand, acknowledged yesterday that he 'got it wrong' in not agreeing to meet with them last week when the initial request came in, so he has made his position on that clear.

In relation to the services, I reiterate what I said yesterday. I understand that the concern that has been expressed is the $5,000 threshold. As I said yesterday, the advice I have is that veterans will continue to have access to allied health services above that threshold, where there is a clinical need.

That is what the government's position is, and of course it is in the context of the government ensuring that additional investment has been put into the Department of Veterans' Affairs to try and improve the rate at which claims are assessed and determined because of the delay that the backlog had previously imposed or caused, which goes back to my very first point.

We do believe, and I think it is a shared view, that veterans should be treated with respect. (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Cash, first supplementary?