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Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1)

Current status

This bill became law on Dec 4th, 2025.

Policy area

Defence & foreign affairs

What does this bill do?

The bill makes technical changes to veterans’ affairs laws so the 2025 simplification reforms can start smoothly, with new compensation and rehabilitation claims moving to an improved Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act from 1 July 2026.

Why was it introduced?

The bill was introduced to make technical fixes before the veterans’ compensation simplification reforms commence on 1 July 2026. The explanatory memorandum says veteran entitlements currently sit across the MRCAThe main law the reforms are moving new veterans’ compensation and rehabilitation claims into from 1 July 2026., VEAOne of the older veterans’ entitlement laws. Some treatment and funeral-benefit arrangements under this law are preserved during the transition. and DRCAThe defence-related claims law affected by the bill’s transitional review provisions., and the earlier Simplification ActThe earlier 2025 simplification law that moves new veterans’ compensation and rehabilitation claims toward a single improved MRCA model. moves new compensation and rehabilitation claims to an improved MRCAThe main law the reforms are moving new veterans’ compensation and rehabilitation claims into from 1 July 2026.. This bill deals with the transition details needed to preserve instruments, clarify funeral-benefit treatment and settle review pathways so the new system can operate as intended.

Broader context

The bill sits inside the wider response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide and the government’s earlier VETS ActThe earlier 2025 simplification law that moves new veterans’ compensation and rehabilitation claims toward a single improved MRCA model. reforms. The policy problem identified in the local sources is not a new benefit design, but the practical transition from three veterans’ compensation laws to one improved MRCAThe main law the reforms are moving new veterans’ compensation and rehabilitation claims into from 1 July 2026. from 1 July 2026. Parliament passed this follow-up bill to preserve operational instruments, avoid inconsistent funeral-benefit outcomes and clarify review rights before the single-act model begins.

Key criticism

No speaker in the collected record opposed the bill itself. The Coalition supported it and described it as non-controversial because it did not cut or alter payments or benefits. The main concerns raised in debate were implementation risks around the wider veterans’ reform program, not objections to the bill’s technical amendments.

Who supported it?

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

Introduced in House 29 Oct 2025
Passed House 26 Nov 2025
Passed Senate 27 Nov 2025
Became law 04 Dec 2025

Did it become law?

Yes

Became law 04 Dec 2025

Final passage

Passed without a counted vote

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

Passage speed

36 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. The bill makes technical changes to veterans’ affairs laws so the 2025 simplification reforms can start smoothly, with new compensation and rehabilitation claims moving to an improved Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act from 1 July 2026.

  2. The Military Rehabilitation and Compensation CommissionThe body given power by this bill to make certain instruments before the 1 July 2026 transition so the new system can start smoothly. can make certain instruments before 1 July 2026, so rules needed for the new system can be in place when the transition begins.

  3. Some treatment-related instruments made under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act will continue to operate under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act, helping avoid interruptions to treatment, benefits or payments after the transition.

  4. Funeral compensation claims will be dealt with under the law they were lodged under, so old Veterans’ Entitlements Act or Defence-related Claims Act claims are not shifted into the new system midstream.

  5. The bill clarifies review rights for some Defence-related Claims Act decisions made before 21 April 2025, after the single review pathway began and ambiguity arose about appeal rights for those claimants.

Show source excerpts
  1. The Simplification Act modifies these arrangements by providing that, from 1 July 2026, all claims for compensation and rehabilitation will be determined under an improved MRCA.
    Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) explanatory memorandum
  2. The first amendment is to provide the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission (MRCC) with appropriate powers to make instruments in the pre-commencement period, before 1 July 2026.
    Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) explanatory memorandum
  3. This will preserve existing instruments made by the old Repatriation Commission... preventing interruptions to benefits or payments made under these instruments after 1 July 2026.
    Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) explanatory memorandum
  4. The amendment will ensure that funeral compensation claims lodged before 1 July 2026 are determined according to the Act under which they are lodged.
    Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) explanatory memorandum
  5. The fourth amendment is to clarify the review pathway for claimants who have DRCA original determinations made before 21 April 2025. The single review pathway commenced on 21 April 2025 and currently there is some ambiguity about the rights of appeal for these claimants.
    Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) explanatory memorandum

Context

Broader context for this bill

The bill sits inside the wider response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide and the government’s earlier VETS ActThe earlier 2025 simplification law that moves new veterans’ compensation and rehabilitation claims toward a single improved MRCA model. reforms. The policy problem identified in the local sources is not a new benefit design, but the practical transition from three veterans’ compensation laws to one improved MRCAThe main law the reforms are moving new veterans’ compensation and rehabilitation claims into from 1 July 2026. from 1 July 2026. Parliament passed this follow-up bill to preserve operational instruments, avoid inconsistent funeral-benefit outcomes and clarify review rights before the single-act model begins.

  1. 2022

    Royal commission interim report highlights urgent veterans’ support issues

    Speakers linked the reform program to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, including evidence that complexity in veterans’ entitlements contributed to distress for veterans and families.

    Minister’s second reading speech ↗
  2. 2022 to 2024

    Consultation shapes the simplification reforms

    The explanatory memorandum says consultation during this period informed the policy intention behind the Simplification ActThe earlier 2025 simplification law that moves new veterans’ compensation and rehabilitation claims toward a single improved MRCA model. and the technical amendments in this bill.

    Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) explanatory memorandum ↗
  3. 21 Apr 2025

    Single review pathway begins

    The explanatory memorandum says the single review pathway commenced on this date, but ambiguity remained for claimants with DRCAThe defence-related claims law affected by the bill’s transitional review provisions. original determinations made before it began.

    Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) explanatory memorandum ↗
  4. 29 Oct 2025

    Bill introduced to prepare the transition

    Matt Keogh introduced the bill in the House of Representatives, describing it as a set of minor technical amendments needed for the move from the tri-act arrangement to a single ongoing act.

    Minister’s second reading speech ↗
  5. 27 Nov 2025

    Parliament passes the bill

    The Senate passed the remaining stages on voices, and the APH progress table records final passage through both houses on the same date.

    Parliamentary timeline and Senate journal outcome ↗
  6. 01 July 2026

    Single-act claims model scheduled to begin

    The explanatory memorandum says new compensation and rehabilitation claims are to be determined under an improved MRCAThe main law the reforms are moving new veterans’ compensation and rehabilitation claims into from 1 July 2026. from 1 July 2026, which is why the technical transition provisions were needed beforehand.

    Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) explanatory memorandum ↗

Legislative route

How did it move through Parliament?

House Senate
Introduced 29 Oct 2025

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 29 Oct 2025

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 05 Nov 2025

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Sent to Federation Chamber for debate 05 Nov 2025

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Referred to Federation Chamber

Returned to House for further consideration 26 Nov 2025

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Second reading debate 26 Nov 2025

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

House second reading agreed 26 Nov 2025

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

House third reading agreed 26 Nov 2025

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

Third reading agreed to

Introduced 27 Nov 2025

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 27 Nov 2025

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

Second reading moved

Senate second reading agreed 27 Nov 2025

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 27 Nov 2025

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

Third reading agreed to

Passed both houses 27 Nov 2025

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

Finally passed both Houses

Assent 04 Dec 2025

The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act., turning the bill into an Act.

Key criticism

The main case against this bill

No speaker in the collected record opposed the bill itself. The Coalition supported it and described it as non-controversial because it did not cut or alter payments or benefits. The main concerns raised in debate were implementation risks around the wider veterans’ reform program, not objections to the bill’s technical amendments.

The page treats broader implementation concerns separately from opposition to the bill because the recorded debate supported passage.

Implementation and resourcing watchpoints

Darren Chester supported the bill but said there was more to do on claims processing, resourcing the royal commission response and guaranteeing funding for veterans and families hubs.

Raised by Darren Chester (National Party) Source ↗

Health-provider access and paperwork

Chester also warned that paperwork and payment gaps could make it less attractive for health professionals to treat veterans, while making clear this was a broader DVAThe Commonwealth department responsible for administering veterans’ support and compensation arrangements discussed on this page.-system concern rather than a criticism of the bill.

Raised by Darren Chester (National Party) 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.

26 Nov 2025

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.

27 Nov 2025

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 29 Oct 2025

Matt Keogh introduced the bill in support of the government’s veterans’ entitlement simplification program, saying the technical amendments would help the move from three acts to a single ongoing MRCAThe main law the reforms are moving new veterans’ compensation and rehabilitation claims into from 1 July 2026. model and clarify commission powers, funeral benefits and review rights.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead supporting voice Supports

Darren Chester

National Party • MP 26 Nov 2025

Darren Chester said the Coalition would support the bill, describing it as non-controversial technical legislation that does not cut payments or benefits, while urging the government to keep focus on claims processing, resourcing and wider veterans’ reform.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead voice Supports

Emma Comer

Australian Labor Party • MP 26 Nov 2025

Emma Comer supported the bill as part of the government’s response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, explaining the four technical amendments as measures to support a smooth transition to a simpler veterans’ entitlement system.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead voice Supports

Claire Clutterham

Australian Labor Party • MP 26 Nov 2025

Claire Clutterham supported the bill as part of the response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, and framed the amendments as technical steps to help implement the move from three veterans’ entitlement acts to a single act.

Read in Hansard ↗

All speeches by bloc

Labor

4 speakers · 6 contributions · 4 support

  1. Emma Comer ★ Emma Comer supported the bill as part of the government’s response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, explaining the four technical amendments as measures to support a smooth transition to a simpler veterans’ entitlement system.
    “This bill is about making sure that the transition is a simpler, fairer system and as smooth as possible.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 26 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  2. Claire Clutterham ★ Claire Clutterham supported the bill as part of the response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, and framed the amendments as technical steps to help implement the move from three veterans’ entitlement acts to a single act.
    “I rise today to speak in support of the Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) Bill 2025, which continues the government's response into the recommendations arising from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 26 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  3. Luke Gosling 2 contributions Luke Gosling supported the reforms, linking the bill to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, the earlier VETS ActThe earlier 2025 simplification law that moves new veterans’ compensation and rehabilitation claims toward a single improved MRCA model. and the goal of reducing complexity while avoiding delays or interruptions to veterans’ benefits.

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

    Second reading speech Australian Labor Party • MP • 26 Nov 2025

    Luke Gosling supported the reforms, linking the bill to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, the earlier VETS ActThe earlier 2025 simplification law that moves new veterans’ compensation and rehabilitation claims toward a single improved MRCA model. and the goal of reducing complexity while avoiding delays or interruptions to veterans’ benefits.

    “We don't want to see further delays, and we don't want to see any risk of interruption to critical benefits or payments to veterans and their families.”
    Read this contribution in Hansard ↗

    Second reading speech Australian Labor Party • MP • 26 Nov 2025

    Luke Gosling used a later contribution to support veterans’ wellbeing and the royal commission response, saying the VETS ActThe earlier 2025 simplification law that moves new veterans’ compensation and rehabilitation claims toward a single improved MRCA model. simplified compensation legislation and that veterans and their families should be looked after.

    “It is our nation's duty to empower and support the mental health and wellbeing of our defence and veteran community.”
    Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
  4. Matt Keogh ★ 2 contributions Matt Keogh introduced the bill in support of the government’s veterans’ entitlement simplification program, saying the technical amendments would help the move from three acts to a single ongoing MRCAThe main law the reforms are moving new veterans’ compensation and rehabilitation claims into from 1 July 2026. model and clarify commission powers, funeral benefits and review rights.

    Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Matt Keogh, including an amendment-moving contribution. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.

    Moved amendment Australian Labor Party • MP • 29 Oct 2025

    Matt Keogh introduced the bill in support of the government’s veterans’ entitlement simplification program, saying the technical amendments would help the move from three acts to a single ongoing MRCAThe main law the reforms are moving new veterans’ compensation and rehabilitation claims into from 1 July 2026. model and clarify commission powers, funeral benefits and review rights.

    “This bill proposes a number of minor technical amendments to this legislation to ensure the smooth implementation of these reforms and the transition from the previous complicated tri-act arrangement to the single ongoing act.”
    Read this contribution in Hansard ↗

    Second reading speech Australian Labor Party • MP • 26 Nov 2025

    Matt Keogh closed the House debate by thanking members for their contributions, acknowledging bipartisan support, and saying the bill continued work to implement the royal commission’s recommendations and create a simpler veterans’ entitlement system.

    “Importantly, this bill continues our work to implement the recommendations of the royal commission.”
    Read this contribution in Hansard ↗

Coalition

4 speakers · 2 support · 2 unclear

  1. Darren Chester ★ Darren Chester said the Coalition would support the bill, describing it as non-controversial technical legislation that does not cut payments or benefits, while urging the government to keep focus on claims processing, resourcing and wider veterans’ reform.
    “So this is, by any definition, a non-controversial piece of legislation, as it doesn't cut or alter a single payment or benefit.”

    National Party • MP • 26 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  2. Michael McCormack Michael McCormack spoke in support while focusing on veterans’ facilities and service communities in Wagga Wagga, including Pro Patria and the Riverina Veteran and Family Hub, and praised investments that he said would help save lives.
    “Those investments were welcomed. He was in Wagga Wagga to announce the 2023 spending. It is funding which will save lives”

    National Party • MP • 26 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  3. Aaron Violi Aaron Violi used his contribution mainly to recognise local veterans, RSL branches and remembrance services in Casey.
    “Local veterans continue to serve our communities and give back through the local RSL, volunteering their time to help other veterans and their families, advocating for support and ensuring our community never forgets their sacrifice.”

    Liberal Party • MP • 26 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  4. Scott Buchholz Scott Buchholz made only brief procedural remarks while waiting for the shadow minister for veterans’ affairs to speak, and did not set out a substantive position on the bill in the collected excerpt.
    “I rise on behalf of the shadow minister for veterans' affairs. He's been detained in getting to the chamber, but I'm sure he is on his way as we speak.”

    Liberal Party • MP • 05 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗

Record

Full record

Full chat