Statute Update Bill 2026

Senator CADELL (New South Wales—Nationals Whip in the Senate) (15:15): Well, this is very simple. All the important things that need to be said are being said and have been said. I take the point of the government speaker over here—that this bill is not meant for that and it shouldn't be.

In fact, we shouldn't be here moving these amendments. I get that. We shouldn't have had to put this private member's bill.

All we needed to hear was the Prime Minister or Minister Keogh come out and say, 'We will stop this and we won't put anything like this back in.' That's all we needed to hear. We've heard from the veterans all week. We've heard from people who are suffering all week.

We've heard from that day in estimates when Senator Scarr, Senator Shoebridge—Senator Lambie was there—were asking about this and they were given two examples of the 25,000 veterans that suffer and go over this cap. So everything substantive has been said. This cap is wrong.

This cap is not about health; this cap is about money. This amendment probably shouldn't be in this bill, but you have given this Senate chamber no other choice but to have it considered across the road. One statement from the Prime Minister, one simple statement, saying that he would back our veterans, bring this cap back and not even consider it would have been enough or had we had a minister that didn't want to go to afternoon teas, who met with veterans, heard their concerns and decided what was the right thing who came out and said that this is gone, that this would not be here.

We are here playing this game because you have led us here. Even today, a veteran who is a provider can tell us about what Senator Shoebridge says, some of the non-normal practice that goes on. we have 120 people involved in the fraud or the investigation in part of DVA that's been upped by another 80 to 200 and they have taken no action even against the people that they were able to say in Senate estimates were providing this.

It's not about fraud; it is about $748 million coming away from veterans who need it the most. That's what it is. The government sent people in here earlier in the week to talk about the investment they are making into veterans' health.

Remember, the talking points, the investment they're making into it? I've never seen any investment that is negative $748 million in my life before. I wish I could go to an ATM and make an investment like that.

But this is what this government is doing. I feel sorry for DVA. To me, this has all the hallmarks of them being required by a minister or a government to get a dividend. 'We need $750 million out of your budget.

How are you going to find it? And this is the way we've come up with it.' So we're here today. This will go through and that is a good thing.

What happens after here is more important. Will it see the light of day in the House as opposed to a private member's bill? Is it so important with everything else that it has to be considered, or will you say, 'Oh, too hard.' Or will, if hope prevails, the minister or the Prime Minister come out and say, 'We're sorry veterans.

We got it wrong. We have heard you. We will do the right thing by you.

We went back on our promise to you when you signed up but now we will get your back.' And then they sent it back here. We might not insist on this going through anymore. We may actually be able to walk away if we get the guarantees required from this government.

But the damage is done to our veterans. They have lost trust in the government of this country that they served in. They have lost trust in the promises we make to them when they sign up.

We're hearing stories about veterans who are telling their own children not to sign up because this can happen to them. How do we restore that faith for them? There have been phone calls, the meetings—everything.

We've had people laying down medals outside of the parliament, people coming here and not being heard, people being really upset about their own futures, their own mental health and their own stories. What about their friends and their comrades? What about those who are injured, hurt and recovering—people like Senator Lambie here—who are more concerned for their comrades, their brothers and sisters in arms, who are suffering as well?

The mateship and the true loyalty of the Australian armed forces member is that they can suffer but be more concerned for their friends. So we will pass this today. It is in your hands.

Please, Prime Minister and Minister for Veterans Affairs, come out and say that you will scrap this cap and you will back our veterans. Then we can move on. (Time expired)