QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Mr ALBANESE (Grayndler—Prime Minister) (14:57): I'm always honoured to meet with veterans and to speak with them and to listen to them. I think that was an unfortunate quote used by— Opposition members interjecting— Mr ALBANESE: Well, I think that I have a problem with the Taliban. When it comes to the issues that are raised, one of the things that we have done is to continue to operate from the philosophy that our veterans have stepped up for us and we need to step up for them.

And that is why, under this Minister for Veterans Affairs, we dealt with a range of issues, including an extra $16 billion to tackle the backlog of veterans' compensation and rehabilitation claims and to provide additional health support. That is why, as well, we have responded constructively to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

That is why we engaged constructively. I met some of the veterans who were here earlier this week just in the corridor. I introduced myself to them.

I've said I'm happy to meet with them. We of course have supported changes, as the minister has said, to ensure that services can actually be delivered in reality rather than just in theory, and we are consulting— Opposition members interjecting— Mr ALBANESE: Okay. The SPEAKER: Order!

Has the Prime Minister concluded his answer? Yes.