Defence Legislation Amendment (RCDVS Implementation and Related Measures No. 2) Bill 2026

Senator McALLISTER (New South Wales—Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) (12:54): I'd like to thank senators for their contribution to the debate on the Defence Legislation Amendment (RCDVS Implementation and Related Measures No. 2) Bill 2026. The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide was a once-in-a-generation opportunity for cultural change within Defence and offers the opportunity to enhance the support for the wellbeing, health and safety of ADF members, veterans and their families.

The royal commission commenced on 8 July 2021, and its purpose was to investigate systemic issues contributing to rates of suicide among current and former serving Australian Defence Force personnel. The Albanese government announced its response to the royal commission on 2 December 2024, and we agreed, or agreed in principle, to 104 of the 122 recommendations.

We are working at pace to implement those. The bill before us at the moment, which, of course, is bill No. 2, will amend the Defence Act 1903 and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 and represents the second tranche of legislation to implement 35 of the royal commission's recommendations. The reforms in this legislation will deliver direct benefits for defence personnel and for veterans and their families in accordance with the royal commission's recommendations.

This includes enhanced information sharing and data analysis to allow for earlier intervention to identify at-risk individuals sooner. It includes strengthened arrangements for the Department of Veterans' Affairs and the new Veteran and Family Wellbeing Agency to enhance wellbeing and support those transitioning out of service. Improved defence health services will be established through a legislative framework for approved quality assurance and improvement activities.

Stronger protections will be established through mandatory end of service for imprisonment, and entry will be denied for prior sexual offence and violent offence convictions. The reforms include family support by enabling improved communications to families and safe separation options in circumstances of family and domestic violence. Career and privacy safeguards will be established through ministerial guidelines to prevent the adverse use of health information and reduce barriers to help seeking.

We seek better transfer of personal information at transition, from Defence to DVA, reducing the need for veterans to tell their story again and again and supporting timely access to treatment and entitlements. We also seek improved information sharing between Defence, DVA and the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation to reduce delays in compensation and superannuation claims.

The measures in this bill give effect to important recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. Those recommendations were informed by extensive evidence received by the royal commission from serving and former defence personnel, families, advocacy organisations, ex-service organisations, experts, Defence, DVA and other stakeholders.

I'm not sure quite how the passage of debate will proceed between now and 1.15, so, while this relates to bill No. 1, I, like Senator McKim, wish to acknowledge a significant reform that is under consideration in this chamber today. The Defence Force Discipline Amendment (RCDVS Implementation and Related Measures No. 1) Bill 2026 establishes for the first time an extinguishment scheme for historical homosexual service offences.

From overturning the ban on homosexual service in the ADF in 1992, the Labor government is now righting this historical wrong. With the passage of this bill, current and former defence personnel and their families will be able to apply to have their historical consensual homosexual service offences extinguished, meaning they cannot be used for any purpose. The government acknowledges and deeply values the service of our defence personnel.

This amendment provides a pathway for recognising the discriminatory practices of the past. The government will make a formal apology, acknowledging the harm experienced by LGBTIQA+ personnel and veterans as a result of historical discriminatory practices, at the appropriate time. In concluding, I wish to thank our serving personnel, our veterans, the families and the ex-service organisations who continue to engage as we undertake these important reforms.

I table an addendum to the explanatory memorandum relating to the Defence Legislation Amendment (RCDVS Implementation and Related Measures No. 2) Bill 2026. The addendum responds to matters raised by the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills and the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights. Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.