QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:52): The first point I'd make is that—I think it was Mr May, was it?—we thank him for his service. Our longest war and a very—I think we all understand the circumstances, both of the service but also the ending of that, and that has been very difficult for many Australians and their families.

I want to say that we thank him for his service, as we thank all veterans for their service. I again repeat: not only should veterans have the respect of all of us in this chamber and across the country but they are entitled to be supported when they return. I understand that many issues have been raised by veterans, that some changes have already been made and that the minister is consulting following the release of a consultation paper on some of the issues that have been raised.

I think I referenced yesterday that the National President of the RSL has indicated: We're in the room and we're being heard. That is what the government wants. We want to ensure that veterans are heard as we go through this process of dealing with these changes.

I would echo what the RSL and nine veteran service organisations nationally have said, welcoming the changes to date and urging veterans and their families to take part in consultations now underway in order to ensure that we have a system not only in which veterans are supported but in which veterans genuinely feel respected. The PRESIDENT: Senator Cadell, first supplementary?