QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:11): First, I again want to reiterate what I've said multiple times, and particularly, with members of the ADF here, I want to again say that anyone who serves our country is entitled to the respect of the nation, and those who have served our country are entitled to the appropriate support and care after their service.

I want to again make the point that the government has increased the fees paid to allied health professionals who are providing services to veterans, as recommended by the royal commission. We have also made changes, as I went through yesterday, to the threshold which has been the subject of concerns. I want to say, on the concerns that have been clearly raised by veterans groups, that this is something the government takes very seriously and to indicate that the government is taking feedback onboard.

I think I indicated that Minister Keogh started a form of consultations last week following the release of the consultation paper. I can also say that I know that the Prime Minister engaged yesterday with a group of veterans, as requested by them. If I have anything further to add—and I think there was some politics in the question, but on the non-political part, which is, 'Can you give an— Senator McKenzie: What was the politics?

Senator WONG: Sorry— The PRESIDENT: Senator Sharma? Senator Sharma: A point of order on relevance: I've been very patient here. My question was quite straightforward.

Which RSL and veterans representatives has the minister engaged with? There was no politics in that question. The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Sharma.

The minister is being relevant to the question, and I'll continue to listen carefully. Senator WONG: Last part of your question, Senator Sharma, but that's okay. What I was just, as a matter of courtesy, saying to you—but you were very keen to interrupt me—was that I don't have information about specific meetings with Minister Keogh; I don't represent Minister Keogh.

But if I can provide further information on that I will. I can indicate that the Prime Minister, as I understand it, did engage with veterans yesterday on this issue. The PRESIDENT: Senator Sharma, a supplementary.