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Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 2)

Current status

This bill became law on Jun 28th, 2023.

Policy area

Defence & foreign affairs

What does this bill do?

ADF firefighters can qualify more easily for workers compensation for oesophageal cancer, with the service period cut from 25 years to 15 years and broader recognition of firefighting duties.

Why was it introduced?

Existing veterans’ rules left some ADF firefighters facing a 25-year threshold for oesophageal cancer claims and counted some employment-program payments against income support. This bill lowers that firefighter threshold, broadens recognised duties, and lets approved employment-program payments be ignored under the veterans income testThe check used to decide how much veterans’ income support someone can get, after counting certain income and payments..

Broader context

Before this bill, veterans’ law treated some ADF firefighters less favourably than civilian firefighters on oesophageal cancer claims, counted some approved employment-program payments against veterans’ income support, and gave limited flexibility on rent assistance and acute family support. Introduced in May 2023, the bill responded by aligning firefighter compensation settings and fixing those administrative gaps, then passed both houses in June and received Royal AssentThe formal step when the Governor-General signs a bill, turning it into an Act. on 28 June 2023 so the expanded support could take effect.

Key criticism

The main reservation was that the new crisis support for grandparents caring for veterans’ children may not go far enough because the funding attached to that measure could be too small. That concern appears to have been narrow rather than broad, with the Greens raising it while still supporting the bill and no party represented in the debate opposing the legislation.

Who supported it?

Hon Matt Keogh MP introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.

Introduced in House 25 May 2023
Passed House 31 May 2023
Passed Senate 22 June 2023
Became law 28 June 2023

Did it become law?

Yes

Became law 28 June 2023

Final passage

Passed without a counted vote

Members called out ‘aye’ or ‘no’ — no individual votes were recorded.

Passage speed

34 days

From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step

Official record

View on APH

Parliament of Australia bill page

Meaning

What does this bill do?

  1. ADF firefighters can qualify more easily for workers compensation for oesophageal cancer, with the service period cut from 25 years to 15 years and broader recognition of firefighting duties.

  2. Veterans and their partners will not have payments from approved Commonwealth, state or territory employment programs counted against their veterans income support under the income testThe check used to decide how much veterans’ income support someone can get, after counting certain income and payments..

  3. Veterans Affairs can extend rent assistance beyond the usual 26 weeks for veterans temporarily stuck overseas, and can extend it again if the situation changes.

  4. Grandparents who are full-time carers for a veteran’s child can now get crisis support through the Defence, Veterans’ and Families’ Acute Support PackageA crisis support program for veterans’ families that this bill extends to grandparents who are full-time carers for a veteran’s child..

Show source excerpts
  1. The proposed amendments in Schedule 1 amend the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA) to reduce the qualifying period of employment of Australian Defence Force (ADF) firefighters in relation to primary site oesophageal cancer from 25 years to 15 years and change the requirement for firefighting to have been a ‘substantial’ proportion of their duties to be a ‘not insubstantial’ proportion.
    Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 2) explanatory memorandum
  2. Item 2 inserts two new paragraphs (zzf) and (zzg) at the end of subsection 5H(8) of the VEA that allow payments from Commonwealth and State or Territory employment programs to not be considered income for income testing purposes under the VEA.
    Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 2) explanatory memorandum
  3. Subpoint SCH6-C3(5) provides that if the Commission determines another number of weeks under subpoint SCH6-C3 (2), then, immediately after that determination is made, a reference to a number of weeks in subparagraph (1)(e)(ii), and each reference to a number of weeks in subpoint SCH6-C3 (2), is taken to be reference to that new number. This allows the Commission to provide additional extensions if circumstances change
    Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 2) explanatory memorandum
  4. The proposed amendments in Schedule 4 amend the VEA, DRCA and Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA) to extend eligibility of the Defence, Veterans’ and Families’ Acute Support Package (Acute Support Package) to grandparents who are full time carers for the children of a veteran. The amendments enable eligible grandparents to access a range of support available under the Acute Support Package when they are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing, crisis.
    Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 2) explanatory memorandum

Context

Broader context for this bill

Before this bill, veterans’ law treated some ADF firefighters less favourably than civilian firefighters on oesophageal cancer claims, counted some approved employment-program payments against veterans’ income support, and gave limited flexibility on rent assistance and acute family support. Introduced in May 2023, the bill responded by aligning firefighter compensation settings and fixing those administrative gaps, then passed both houses in June and received Royal AssentThe formal step when the Governor-General signs a bill, turning it into an Act. on 28 June 2023 so the expanded support could take effect.

  1. 25 May 2023

    Bill introduced to fix gaps in veterans support rules

    The government introduced the bill to lower the service threshold for ADF firefighters’ oesophageal cancer claims, exclude approved employment-program payments from the income testThe check used to decide how much veterans’ income support someone can get, after counting certain income and payments., and widen support rules for veterans’ families and rent assistance.

    Hansard ↗
  2. 30 May 2023

    House debate frames firefighter and income-test changes as overdue alignment

    Speakers backing the bill said it would bring ADF firefighters into line with civilian firefighters and stop specified employment-program payments reducing veterans’ income support.

    Hansard ↗
  3. 22 June 2023

    Parliament passes the bill

    Both houses passed the bill in the same form, clearing the way for the new compensation, income-test, rent-assistance and acute-support measures to become law.

    Parliamentary timeline ↗
  4. 28 June 2023

    Royal AssentThe formal step when the Governor-General signs a bill, turning it into an Act. turns the changes into law

    Royal AssentThe formal step when the Governor-General signs a bill, turning it into an Act. completed the bill’s passage and enacted the package of veterans’ support changes approved by Parliament.

    Parliamentary timeline ↗

Legislative route

How did it move through Parliament?

House Senate
Introduced 25 May 2023

The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.

Introduced and read a first time

Second reading opened 25 May 2023

A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.

Second reading moved

Second reading debate 30 May 2023

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Sent to Federation Chamber for debate 30 May 2023

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Referred to Federation Chamber

Federation Chamber debate 30 May 2023

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Second reading debate

House second reading agreed 30 May 2023

The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.

Second reading agreed to

Returned from Federation Chamber 31 May 2023

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Reported from Federation Chamber

House third reading agreed 31 May 2023

The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.

Third reading agreed to

Introduced 13 June 2023

The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.

Introduced and read a first time

Second reading opened 13 June 2023

A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.

Second reading moved

Second reading debate 22 June 2023

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Senate second reading agreed 22 June 2023

The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.

Second reading agreed to

Senate third reading agreed 22 June 2023

The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.

Third reading agreed to

Passed both houses 22 June 2023

Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.

Finally passed both Houses

Assent 28 June 2023

The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe formal step when the Governor-General signs a bill, turning it into an Act., turning the bill into an Act.

Key criticism

The main case against this bill

The main reservation was that the new crisis support for grandparents caring for veterans’ children may not go far enough because the funding attached to that measure could be too small. That concern appears to have been narrow rather than broad, with the Greens raising it while still supporting the bill and no party represented in the debate opposing the legislation.

No significant broader public case against the bill is recorded so far.

Grandparent support may be too limited

The bill’s extension of acute support to grandparents caring full time for a veteran’s child was welcomed, but there was a caution that the funding behind this change may be too small to meet need in practice.

Raised by Greens senator David Shoebridge Source ↗

Further sources

parlinfo.aph.gov.au ↗

Votes

Recorded votes

How the bill itself passed

The bill passed both chambers on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage.

Passed

House passed the bill

House agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.

31 May 2023

Passed on the voices

In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.

Passed

Senate passed the bill

Senate agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.

22 June 2023

Passed on the voices

In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.

Parliamentary debate

Who spoke, and what they said

Start here — lead voices

Sponsor speech Supports

Matt Keogh

Australian Labor Party • MP 25 May 2023

Keogh supports the bill and says it will improve veterans' access to support, streamline claims, and extend income, rent and crisis assistance for veterans and their families.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead supporting voice Supports

Aaron Violi

Liberal Party • MP 30 May 2023

Aaron Violi supports the bill and says the Coalition will back it because it makes important, bipartisan improvements to veterans' entitlements and assistance.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead voice Supports

Matt Burnell

Australian Labor Party • MP 30 May 2023

Burnell supports the bill and urges the House to pass it, saying it makes sensible, incremental improvements for veterans and their families.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead voice Supports

Michael McCormack

National Party • MP 30 May 2023

McCormack supports the bill and says its four measures are important because they improve support for veterans, including firefighter entitlements, income-test exemptions, rent assistance and help for grandparents caring for a deceased veteran's children.

Read in Hansard ↗

All speeches by bloc

Labor

5 speakers · 6 contributions · 5 support

  1. Matt Burnell ★ Burnell supports the bill and urges the House to pass it, saying it makes sensible, incremental improvements for veterans and their families.
    “I commend this bill to the House. I encourage all members to support it. Finally, I extend to all current and former serving personnel in this country my thanks for their service.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 30 May 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  2. Meryl Swanson Swanson supports the bill, saying the changes are long overdue and critical to better meet the changing needs of veterans and their families.
    “But we have failed to recognise that veterans need a great diversity of assistance, and their families deserve that assistance as well. We've failed to keep abreast of the everchanging needs and demography of veterans, and I'm sad to say the previous government didn't keep ahead of the game when it came to simple amendments that could make an incredible difference to those that have served us so well. That's why these amendments, whilst not controversial, are critical. They may not be controversial, but they're very important to get into legislation so that we can have the best hand to deal with veterans.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 30 May 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  3. Matt Thistlethwaite Matt Thistlethwaite supports the bill as part of the government’s effort to improve veteran services, simplify claims, and extend practical support to more veterans and their families.
    “Our Defence Force personnel and veterans and their families give so much in the service of our nation, and we believe that it's time that they got the support that they deserve. That is why we're investing more in the Department of Veterans' Affairs, employing more people to support veterans, reducing the backlog of claims, modernising the IT system, rationalising veterans affairs legislation and supporting veterans through important initiatives such as this.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 30 May 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  4. Matt Keogh ★ 2 contributions Keogh supports the bill and says it will improve veterans' access to support, streamline claims, and extend income, rent and crisis assistance for veterans and their families.

    Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Matt Keogh on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.

    Minister's second reading speech Australian Labor Party • MP • 25 May 2023

    Keogh supports the bill and says it will improve veterans' access to support, streamline claims, and extend income, rent and crisis assistance for veterans and their families. He commends it to the House because it reduces bureaucratic barriers and better aligns veterans' entitlements with civilian counterparts.

    “I commend this bill to the House.”
    Read this contribution in Hansard ↗

    Second reading speech Australian Labor Party • MP • 30 May 2023

    Keogh supports the bill and says it will strengthen services for veterans and their families by improving support for ADF firefighters, income support rules, rent assistance and crisis help for families. He presents it as part of the Albanese Labor government's broader push to rebuild the Department of Veterans' Affairs and lays out no condition on backing it.

    “This legislation, the Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 2) Bill 2023, will enhance the support and services available to veterans and their families. Supporting veterans and families is one of our key priorities, and that's why the recent budget had such a significant focus on rebuilding the Department of Veterans' Affairs in order to ensure the foundations are laid to improve access to services and supports for veterans and families.”
    Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
  5. Carol Brown Brown supports the bill, saying it will improve services and support for veterans and their families by expanding assistance, rent relief and access to crisis support packages.
    “This legislation will enhance the support and services available to veterans and their families.”

    Australian Labor Party • Senator • 22 June 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗

Coalition

5 speakers · 5 support

  1. Aaron Violi ★ Aaron Violi supports the bill and says the Coalition will back it because it makes important, bipartisan improvements to veterans' entitlements and assistance.
    “This legislation is a good step forward. It's important legislation and is part of the acknowledgement and assistance that we owe our veterans. As I've said, the coalition supports this bill, and I'm proud to be here supporting this bill and speaking on it today. However, there is always more that we can do, and it's important that we remember that the work's not done.”

    Liberal Party • MP • 30 May 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  2. Michael McCormack ★ McCormack supports the bill and says its four measures are important because they improve support for veterans, including firefighter entitlements, income-test exemptions, rent assistance and help for grandparents caring for a deceased veteran's children.
    “These four schedules in the Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 2) Bill 2023, whilst uncontroversial, are important because our veterans are important. I know that; I come from a tri-service town, I come from a garrison city, and I respect what our city does to commemorate our veterans. Moreover, I commemorate the future we are going to provide them. This legislation assists that, and I urge the government to do everything it can to at all times protect our veterans and give them the futures they deserve.”

    National Party • MP • 30 May 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  3. Jenny Ware Jenny Ware supports the bill and says the coalition will back it because it makes minor, bipartisan changes that improve alignment across veterans' entitlements, employment support, rental assistance and help for grandparents caring for children of deceased veterans.
    “I support this bill. The coalition rightly supports this. It is completely appropriate that at all times where we can reach bipartisan support in relation to veterans—in relation to those men and women who put their own lives at risk to serve us and to ensure we can continue to enjoy many of the benefits that we have in this country, as a democracy with the rule of law and various other institutions that we enjoy—that we should. To conclude, I commend this bill to the House.”

    Liberal Party • MP • 30 May 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  4. Barnaby Joyce Joyce supports the bill and says it makes a series of practical, non-controversial changes to veterans' entitlements, including health support, income testThe check used to decide how much veterans’ income support someone can get, after counting certain income and payments. exemptions, overseas rent assistance and help for grandparents caring for Defence children.
    “This is basically a non-controversial arrangement that allows us to make sure that how we look after veterans respects the service they have given.”

    National Party • MP • 30 May 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  5. Perin Davey Davey says the coalition supports the bill because its four schedules make practical improvements for veterans and their families, including better firefighter entitlements, income-testing changes, extra rent assistance in hardship cases, and support for grandparents caring for Defence children.
    “We in the coalition support this bill.”

    National Party • Senator • 22 June 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗

Greens

1 speaker · 1 support

  1. David Shoebridge Shoebridge says the Greens support the bill because it improves compensation and support for veterans, including defence firefighters, income support arrangements, rental assistance and help for grandparents caring for veterans' children.
    “The Greens support the Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 2) Bill 2023.”

    Australian Greens • Senator • 22 June 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗

Record

Full record

Full chat