This bill became law on Apr 1st, 2026.
Defence & foreign affairs
Creates an independent Defence and Veterans’ Service CommissionerThe independent office-holder created by the Act to oversee systemic issues affecting suicide prevention and wellbeing for veterans and current and former ADF members. and a supporting commissionThe statutory agency that supports the commissioner’s work, including inquiries, reports, advice and administration. to oversee system-wide reforms aimed at reducing suicide risk and improving wellbeing for current and former ADF members.
The bill was introduced because the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran SuicideThe national inquiry whose final report recommended a permanent independent oversight body for defence and veteran suicide prevention reforms. called for a permanent, independent oversight body to drive system reform across Defence and veterans’ services. An interim commissionThe statutory agency that supports the commissioner’s work, including inquiries, reports, advice and administration. had already been created inside the Defence Act and began operating on 29 September 2025, but a Senate committee review recommended moving it into standalone legislation, strengthening its independence and powers, and expressly recognising veterans’ families.
The bill sits in the long response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran SuicideThe national inquiry whose final report recommended a permanent independent oversight body for defence and veteran suicide prevention reforms.. The royal commissionThe statutory agency that supports the commissioner’s work, including inquiries, reports, advice and administration. recommended a new independent oversight body; the government first created the commissionThe statutory agency that supports the commissioner’s work, including inquiries, reports, advice and administration. inside the Defence Act so it could start quickly, then introduced this standalone bill after a Senate committee review called for stronger, clearer legislation. Debate focused less on whether the commissionerThe independent office-holder created by the Act to oversee systemic issues affecting suicide prevention and wellbeing for veterans and current and former ADF members. should exist and more on how independent, powerful and timely the oversight would be, especially the first report on implementation of the royal commissionThe statutory agency that supports the commissioner’s work, including inquiries, reports, advice and administration. response.
No major party opposed creating the commissionerThe independent office-holder created by the Act to oversee systemic issues affecting suicide prevention and wellbeing for veterans and current and former ADF members.. The main criticisms were about the path to the bill and the speed of accountability: Coalition and Greens speakers said the earlier Defence Act model had been rushed or delayed, and Opposition, Greens and Jacqui Lambie Network contributions pushed for earlier or more frequent reporting on implementation of the royal commissionThe statutory agency that supports the commissioner’s work, including inquiries, reports, advice and administration. response.
Hon Matt Keogh MP introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 01 Apr 2026
Final passage
Passed without a counted vote
1 recorded amendment or procedural vote was found, but no counted vote on the bill itself was recorded.
Passage speed
125 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
Creates an independent Defence and Veterans’ Service CommissionerThe independent office-holder created by the Act to oversee systemic issues affecting suicide prevention and wellbeing for veterans and current and former ADF members. and a supporting commissionThe statutory agency that supports the commissioner’s work, including inquiries, reports, advice and administration. to oversee system-wide reforms aimed at reducing suicide risk and improving wellbeing for current and former ADF members.
Keeps the commissionerThe independent office-holder created by the Act to oversee systemic issues affecting suicide prevention and wellbeing for veterans and current and former ADF members. focused on broad system problems, not individual complaints, single decisions, civil or criminal wrongdoing, or findings about the cause of a death.
Requires two public implementation inquiries into the Commonwealth’s response to the Defence and Veteran Suicide Royal CommissionThe national inquiry whose final report recommended a permanent independent oversight body for defence and veteran suicide prevention reforms., with the first due by 5 February 2027 and the second due by 2 December 2030.
Gives the commissionerThe independent office-holder created by the Act to oversee systemic issues affecting suicide prevention and wellbeing for veterans and current and former ADF members. stronger tools for special inquiries, including summonses, compulsory information notices, entry to government or contractor premises, remote document access, and search warrant powers.
Requires minister-received inquiry reports to be tabled in ParliamentThe formal presentation of a report or document to Parliament so it becomes part of the parliamentary record. and requires the government to respond publicly to tabled reports, while allowing escalation to the Prime Minister and minister if a Commonwealth entity does not act adequately.
The Royal Commission recommended that the Australian Government should establish a new statutory entity with the purpose of providing independent oversight and evidence-based advice in order to drive system reform to improve suicide prevention and wellbeing outcomes for serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members (Recommendation 122).Defence and Veterans’ Service Commissioner explanatory memorandum
Excluding these matters from the Commissioner’s functions is intended to clarify that the Commissioner will not be undertaking the role of a court (which may make a finding of civil or criminal wrongdoing) or a coroner or the IGADF.Defence and Veterans’ Service Commissioner explanatory memorandum
The first inquiry under subsection (1) must be completed on or before 5 February 2027. The second inquiry under subsection (1) must be completed on or before 2 December 2030.Defence and Veterans’ Service Commissioner Act 2026 final Act text
The Bill provides the Commissioner with coercive information gathering powers to support their functions when they determine an inquiry should be a special inquiry. This includes the power to compel a person to produce information or documents or to answer questions, and for the Commissioner to apply for a search warrant or for the Commissioner or their staff to enter premises.Defence and Veterans’ Service Commissioner explanatory memorandum
The Bill also provides that where a final report is given to the Minister, the Minister must cause it to be tabled in both Houses of the Parliament within 15 sitting days. The Minister must also cause the government’s response to the final inquiry report to be tabled in each House of the Parliament within 3 months or 15 sitting days after the final report was tabled.Defence and Veterans’ Service Commissioner explanatory memorandum
Context
The bill sits in the long response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran SuicideThe national inquiry whose final report recommended a permanent independent oversight body for defence and veteran suicide prevention reforms.. The royal commissionThe statutory agency that supports the commissioner’s work, including inquiries, reports, advice and administration. recommended a new independent oversight body; the government first created the commissionThe statutory agency that supports the commissioner’s work, including inquiries, reports, advice and administration. inside the Defence Act so it could start quickly, then introduced this standalone bill after a Senate committee review called for stronger, clearer legislation. Debate focused less on whether the commissionerThe independent office-holder created by the Act to oversee systemic issues affecting suicide prevention and wellbeing for veterans and current and former ADF members. should exist and more on how independent, powerful and timely the oversight would be, especially the first report on implementation of the royal commissionThe statutory agency that supports the commissioner’s work, including inquiries, reports, advice and administration. response.
Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran SuicideThe national inquiry whose final report recommended a permanent independent oversight body for defence and veteran suicide prevention reforms. begins
The bill defines the royal commissionThe statutory agency that supports the commissioner’s work, including inquiries, reports, advice and administration. by reference to Letters Patent issued by the Governor-General on 8 July 2021, setting up the inquiry that later drove the commissionerThe independent office-holder created by the Act to oversee systemic issues affecting suicide prevention and wellbeing for veterans and current and former ADF members. reforms.
Defence and Veterans’ Service Commissioner explanatory memorandum ↗Royal CommissionThe statutory agency that supports the commissioner’s work, including inquiries, reports, advice and administration. recommends independent system oversight
The final report recommended a new statutory entity to provide independent oversight and evidence-based advice on suicide prevention and wellbeing reforms for serving and ex-serving ADF members.
Defence and Veterans’ Service Commissioner explanatory memorandum ↗Government response sets the implementation benchmark
The explanatory memorandum says the government response to the final report was provided on 2 December 2024, which became the reference point for later implementation inquiry deadlines.
Defence and Veterans’ Service Commissioner explanatory memorandum ↗Parliament creates an interim commissionThe statutory agency that supports the commissioner’s work, including inquiries, reports, advice and administration. in the Defence Act
The government legislated the Defence and Veterans’ Service CommissionThe statutory agency that supports the commissioner’s work, including inquiries, reports, advice and administration. through Part VIIIE of the Defence Act so the body could be operating by September 2025.
Minister’s second reading speech ↗Senate committee calls for standalone commissionerThe independent office-holder created by the Act to oversee systemic issues affecting suicide prevention and wellbeing for veterans and current and former ADF members. law
A Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee review recommended moving the commissionThe statutory agency that supports the commissioner’s work, including inquiries, reports, advice and administration. out of the Defence Act and into standalone legislation.
Defence and Veterans’ Service Commissioner explanatory memorandum ↗Defence and Veterans’ Service CommissionThe statutory agency that supports the commissioner’s work, including inquiries, reports, advice and administration. starts operating
The explanatory memorandum records that the commissionThe statutory agency that supports the commissioner’s work, including inquiries, reports, advice and administration. commenced operation under the Defence Act before the standalone bill was introduced.
Defence and Veterans’ Service Commissioner explanatory memorandum ↗Government introduces the standalone commissionerThe independent office-holder created by the Act to oversee systemic issues affecting suicide prevention and wellbeing for veterans and current and former ADF members. bill
The bill was introduced to replace the Defence Act framework with standalone legislation and to implement the Senate committee recommendations.
Parliamentary timeline ↗House rejects a September 2026 first-report deadline
The House defeated a proposed Opposition amendment to bring the first implementation inquiry deadline forward to 30 September 2026; the recorded division was 47 ayes to 86 noes.
House division record ↗Senate agrees to an earlier February 2027 deadline
The APH progress record says an Opposition amendment was agreed, and the as-passed text shows the first implementation inquiry deadline moved to 5 February 2027.
APH bill page and as-passed bill text ↗Standalone commissionerThe independent office-holder created by the Act to oversee systemic issues affecting suicide prevention and wellbeing for veterans and current and former ADF members. Act receives Royal Assent
The Defence and Veterans’ Service CommissionerThe independent office-holder created by the Act to oversee systemic issues affecting suicide prevention and wellbeing for veterans and current and former ADF members. Act 2026 became Act No. 27 of 2026, with commencement to be fixed by proclamationA formal legal step used to set the day a law, or part of a law, starts operating when the Act does not start immediately on assent. or by the statutory fallback date.
Federal Register of Legislation ↗Legislative route
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
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
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber. Later message exchanges with the other chamber were still recorded afterwards.
Third reading agreed to
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
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
The Senate agreed to an Opposition amendment in committee of the whole. The final text shows the first implementation inquiry deadline moved to 5 February 2027.
Committee of the Whole debate
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
The House agreed to the Senate amendment, allowing the bill to pass both houses in the same form. The main accepted Senate changes reflected in the final bill were: The as-passed bill changed the short title from 2025 to 2026 and brought the first mandatory implementation inquiry forward from 2 December 2027 to 5 February 2027. The APH progress record says an Opposition Senate amendment was agreed on voices and the House later agreed to that Senate amendment.
Consideration of Senate message
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
The Governor-General gave Royal Assent, turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
No major party opposed creating the commissionerThe independent office-holder created by the Act to oversee systemic issues affecting suicide prevention and wellbeing for veterans and current and former ADF members.. The main criticisms were about the path to the bill and the speed of accountability: Coalition and Greens speakers said the earlier Defence Act model had been rushed or delayed, and Opposition, Greens and Jacqui Lambie Network contributions pushed for earlier or more frequent reporting on implementation of the royal commissionThe statutory agency that supports the commissioner’s work, including inquiries, reports, advice and administration. response.
The bill had broad support in principle; criticism focused on process, timing and whether reporting would be strong enough to keep reforms moving.
Earlier handling of the commissioner model
Coalition speakers argued Labor had delayed an independent oversight body and mishandled the initial Defence Act version, while Senator David Shoebridge said the February 2025 process was rushed and lacked consultation with veterans.
First implementation report was too late
Opposition speakers said the original 2 December 2027 first-report deadline risked delayed accountability, and moved amendments to require an earlier assessment of the government’s implementation progress.
Calls for annual reporting
The Jacqui Lambie Network proposed annual implementation inquiries until Parliament declared the government response complete, and the Greens said they supported annual reports as the stronger accountability model.
Further sources
Votes
The bill passed both chambers on the voices. The counted divisions below were about amendments or procedure, not final passage.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Amendments grouped by chamber. These cards include amendment outcomes recorded without a counted division.
House
Defeated 47 to 86. Support came from Liberal Party, LNP, Nationals, and Bradfield Independent. Opposition came from Labor.
The amendment was defeated, leaving the original 2 December 2027 date until the Senate later brought the deadline forward to 5 February 2027.
The House agreed to the amendments made by the Senate, so the bill could pass both chambers in the same form.
Carried on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
Senate
Senator McDonald’s Opposition amendment moved the first implementation inquiry deadline from 2 December 2027 to 5 February 2027.
Senator McDonald’s Opposition amendment moved the first implementation inquiry deadline from 2 December 2027 to 5 February 2027.
Passed on the voices
The chamber agreed to this amendment without a counted vote — the presiding officer judged the ayes louder than the noes, and no member called for a division.
These are amendment votes, not the final passage vote on the bill itself. The bill passed both chambers on the voices.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Keogh supports the bill and wants it passed because it puts the Defence and Veterans' Service CommissionThe statutory agency that supports the commissioner’s work, including inquiries, reports, advice and administration. into standalone law and strengthens its independence, powers and accountability to drive reform after the royal commission into defence and veteran suicideThe national inquiry whose final report recommended a permanent independent oversight body for defence and veteran suicide prevention reforms..
Read in Hansard ↗McCormack says the coalition will support the bill because an independent statutory commissionerThe independent office-holder created by the Act to oversee systemic issues affecting suicide prevention and wellbeing for veterans and current and former ADF members. is needed to deliver the royal commissionThe statutory agency that supports the commissioner’s work, including inquiries, reports, advice and administration.'s reforms for veterans, but he criticises the government for poor consultation and rushing the legislation.
Read in Hansard ↗Allegra Spender supports the bill because it creates an independent statutory commissionerThe independent office-holder created by the Act to oversee systemic issues affecting suicide prevention and wellbeing for veterans and current and former ADF members. with real powers to oversee reform for defence members and veterans after repeated failures to act on past recommendations.
Read in Hansard ↗Darren Chester speaks to the bill, focusing on i rise to speak in support of the Defence and Veterans' Service CommissionerThe independent office-holder created by the Act to oversee systemic issues affecting suicide prevention and wellbeing for veterans and current and former ADF members. Bill 2025, notwithstanding that the coalition will be moving some amendments in relation to the reporting date of the commissionerThe independent office-holder created by the Act to oversee systemic issues affecting suicide prevention and wellbeing for veterans and current and former ADF members. in the legislation.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
12 speakers · 14 contributions · 9 support · 1 mixed · 2 unclear
“I rise today to speak in support of the Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner Bill 2025 and the Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025, introduced by the Minister for Veterans' Affairs.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Having spoken about the independence of the commissioner and about families, I now want to go to ongoing reform. The commissioner is empowered to be an agent of change and improvement. Their functions would enable them, as an oversight body, to monitor, inquire into, report on and provide advice on systemic reforms, including the Commonwealth's implementation of the government's response to the recommendations of the royal commission. The government has listened to feedback from stakeholders and has taken action. These changes to the bill will ensure that the commissioner has the tools necessary to ensure that the Defence and Veterans' Service Commission is able to drive that systemic reform that will improve suicide prevention and wellbeing outcomes for both serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members. This will mean agencies are held accountable to consider and respond to the commissioner's recommendations. The enduring nature of the commission will ensure that the voices of our veterans continue to be heard and that systemic issues which contribute to suicide in our veteran community are continually reviewed and addressed.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“There are a lot of things that have to happen to make sure this is effective, and one of them is that the commission must have independence. It has to have the functions and powers necessary to meet its objectives. Most importantly, it has to be able to maintain the trust of the veteran and Defence community. This bill delivers on the full implementation of these things by enshrining the legislative establishment of the Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner and the Defence and Veterans' Service commission into its own standalone legislation, as was always intended.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Most importantly, we are bringing the silent ranks—the families of those who serve—into the fold of our national policy. We're acknowledging that the ripples of service touch every partner, every parent and every child, and we're telling them: 'Your burden is seen, your role is recognised, and you'll not be left to carry it alone.' We stand on the shoulders of proud local legacy, but our duty is to the present and the future. We owe it to every person today who wears a uniform and to every veteran who has since laid it down to ensure that the promise of service is met with the promise of support. No veteran and no veteran's family should ever have to fight their hardest battle alone. With this bill, we are building a system that finally holds itself to the same high standard that they hold for themselves. I commend the bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Today I rise to speak in support of the Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner Bill 2025, a bill that goes to the very heart of our responsibility to those who have served our nation and to the families who serve alongside them. Before I turn to the technical provisions of the bill, I want to begin somewhere very human and very local for me. My electorate of Paterson is home to Australia's premier F-35 base at Williamtown. It is also home to the Wedgetail, which has provided such incredible capability in places like Ukraine in recent times. Around 5,000 people not dissimilar to those in this building work on that base each and every day. I could not be prouder to represent those people both serving and who have served there in the past.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The changes in this bill will ensure that the commissioner has the tools necessary so that the Defence and Veterans' Service Commission is enabled to drive system reform, to improve suicide prevention and wellbeing outcomes for serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members. Accountability, transparency and prompt action are facilitated by this bill, and it is our duty in this House to do this. It's not set-and-forget. We must monitor and measure the effectiveness of these measures and continually adapt, make changes and make improvements to ensure that the commission and the commissioner can always be a powerful force for the systematic change that we need. I commend the bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
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
Keogh supports the bill and wants it passed because it puts the Defence and Veterans' Service CommissionThe statutory agency that supports the commissioner’s work, including inquiries, reports, advice and administration. into standalone law and strengthens its independence, powers and accountability to drive reform after the royal commission into defence and veteran suicideThe national inquiry whose final report recommended a permanent independent oversight body for defence and veteran suicide prevention reforms.. He says the bill also responds to Senate committee recommendations, including better recognition of veteran families and stronger inquiry and witness protection provisions.
“This bill delivers on the full implementation of this by enshrining the legislative establishment of the Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner and commission into its own standalone legislation as always intended.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Keogh supports the bill and wants it passed, saying it strengthens the Defence and Veterans’ Service CommissionThe statutory agency that supports the commissioner’s work, including inquiries, reports, advice and administration., improves its independence and transparency, and is central to implementing the royal commissionThe statutory agency that supports the commissioner’s work, including inquiries, reports, advice and administration.’s response to veteran suicide. He rejects opposition criticism and says the government has consulted widely and is acting quickly to get the oversight body right.
“As I said last year in parliament and at the National Press Club, it is our nation's duty to empower and support the mental health and wellbeing of our defence and veteran community to reduce the rates of suicide and suicidality as much as possible. The commission is an integral part of this work and will ensure ongoing scrutiny of our efforts to achieve this aim, and I commend the bill to the House.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“The current enactment within Part VIIIE of the Defence Act 1903, by way of Schedule 9 of the Veterans' Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Act 2025, passed in February 2025, and ensured that the Commission could be up and running by September and not be subject to the vagaries of an intervening Federal Election.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The commission will play an important role in improving transparency and accountability across the broader Defence and veterans support landscape.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“By establishing the independent Defence and Veterans' Service Commission, we are taking a significant step toward a future where veterans and their families are supported by a system that is worthy of their service; a future where their wellbeing is protected, their voices are central and their experiences shape the policies that affect them; and a future where no veteran or serving defence personnel feel left behind. I commend the bills to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Emma Comer on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Emma Comer speaks to the bill, focusing on a key feature of this bill is strengthening the independence of the commissionThe statutory agency that supports the commissioner’s work, including inquiries, reports, advice and administration.. The speech also says that this bill also reflects the government's response to the recommendations from the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee following its report on 29 August 2025 into the existing enabling legislation.
“A key feature of this bill is strengthening the independence of the commission. To support that independence, it provides for the appointment of the Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner by the Governor-General.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Emma Comer supports the bill and says it should pass because it gives the commissionerThe independent office-holder created by the Act to oversee systemic issues affecting suicide prevention and wellbeing for veterans and current and former ADF members. the independence, powers and accountability tools needed to drive long-term reform and suicide prevention for serving and ex-serving Defence members and their families.
“The commission will have a dedicated and sustained focus on suicide prevention. It will ensure that agencies responsible for implementing the royal commission's recommendations are held to account. It will promote long-term cultural and structural change and drive the reforms necessary to reduce the rates of suicide and suicidality among serving and ex-serving ADF members. To perform this role effectively, the commission must have the independence, functions and powers necessary to meet these objectives and to maintain the trust of the Defence and veteran community. That is precisely what this bill delivers.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“The royal commission described recommendation 122, the establishment of an independent oversight body, as its most important recommendation.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
10 speakers · 6 support · 1 mixed · 3 unclear
“I rise to speak in support of the Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner Bill 2025, notwithstanding that the coalition will be moving some amendments in relation to the reporting date of the commissioner in the legislation.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Parliament was asked to wade through a complex oversight body with very limited visibility and limited stakeholder engagement, and that is not how serious veterans policy should be made. It is not. So I would urge and encourage that we ensure we take the time with this commission and with this bill. I know it will pass this place; it's got the support of the coalition. But we also need to ensure that, if there are any fine-tuning legislative measures that may happen in the house of review, in the Senate, in the upper house, then there's the time taken to do that as well.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The structure Labor is now implementing closely mirrors what the coalition proposed after having voted against it. It is fair to say that if the coalition's national commissioner model had been supported instead of opposed, independent oversight would already be mature and operating. The coalition will support this framework now because veterans and their families cannot afford further delay, but the history should be acknowledged. Labor put politics ahead of veteran wellbeing five years ago and is finally delivering on the commission. Later today, I'll be moving an amendment to this bill. I will speak to that later.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“However, it is important to put something on the record. This idea of an independent oversight body is not an invention of the Labor Party. In fact, the coalition introduced legislation to establish an independent national commissioner for defence and veteran suicide prevention back in 2020, five years ago. That bill proposed an independent statutory oversight body with basically the same features Labor is implementing today. And what did Labor do in 2020? They opposed that bill. Because of Labor's political games, the establishment of the body was delayed—and that delay matters. It matters because early independent oversight, working alongside the royal commission, could have accelerated system reform. It could have brought earlier accountability to Defence and the DVA. The structure Labor is now implementing closely mirrors what the coalition proposed at the very same time Labor voted against that bill. The coalition will support this framework because veterans and families cannot afford any further delay, but the history should be acknowledged: Labor put politics ahead of veterans' wellbeing five years ago.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The coalition's objective is simple—reforms recommended by the royal commission must be implemented quickly and assessed openly.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I also want to make the point here that this is not a new idea from Labor. The coalition introduced legislation to establish an independent National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention back in 2020, more than five years ago. That bill proposed an independent statutory oversight body with the same structural features now being implemented. I want to note in the House that Labor opposed that legislation at the time for political purposes, and, as a result, the establishment of an independent statutory oversight body was delayed. The structure that Labor is now implementing closely mirrors what we proposed back in government. If the coalition's national commissioner model had been supported instead of being opposed by Labor, independent oversight would already be underway. The coalition will support this framework now, because veterans and families cannot afford further delay, but I think it's important that that history should be acknowledged, particularly in the veteran community. Veteran care should not be a political issue. I think it's fair to say that where we land today is bipartisan, but it hasn't been perfect. But we're here, and I think we've come together for veterans and their families, and that's an important message they need to hear from this House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill to me is a fundamental proposition about how we show, honour and respect our veterans and how there is nearly no end to the responsibility we share to invest in our veterans so they can live out the best of their healthy lives. For those people who make that sacrifice and are prepared to wear the uniform and defend our nation, what we should want at the end of their service is not just to provide them with the support they need to move on from their service. Of course, in many cases, we want them to continue to act as reservists continuing to support the ADF. But we should also want those who cease their service to go on and live healthy and productive lives. By 'healthy and productive lives' we don't mean just keeping them alive; we mean healthy and productive lives where they form families and live out what they deserve as a consequence of their service. It's what they fought or enlisted for. I'm very happy to be supporting the principles of this process and this legislation, because I think it goes right to the heart of the responsibility, particularly of those who have not worn a uniform, to those who are prepared to step up and do so.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“What is now before the parliament, the Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner Bill 2025 and the Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025, closely resembles the model the coalition proposed and the government opposed.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The last comment I want to make is on the importance, from my perspective, of this new commissioner's power to establish an inquiry on their own initiative into matters relating to suicide prevention or wellbeing outcomes for veterans.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I wish to reflect, in the time allocated to me, on the fact that, being someone who has served, spent time at the foot of the Hindu Kush and worked with and as a member of Legacy and the RSL, it's sad to me that, in 2026, we are still legislating to assist veterans and hold Defence accountable.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
1 speaker · 1 support
“I want to finish with this: there was a suggestion that this bill might also be guillotined and pushed through without debate, and we resisted that.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
2 speakers · 2 support
“This bill lays the foundation for stronger oversight, greater accountability and, ultimately, better support for our veterans and serving members. For that reason, I support the bill, but I continue to offer this challenge to the government of this day and those of future days: we set up these statutory authorities, and they are important, but, if we do not listen and implement their recommendations, then we are literally just doing something that feels good but ultimately makes no difference in the end. That will be the proof of the success of this and whether it makes a difference to Defence families and veterans' families, as it should. It is the implementation that really matters, and that is up to this government and every government after it.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise today to welcome the Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner Bill 2025 and the accompanying Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025. These bills implement recommendation 122 of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, a recommendation the commission described as one of its most important. They established the Defence and Veterans' Service Commission as a standalone statutory entity, strengthening its independence and authority. This is a meaningful reform, and I want to acknowledge the government for progressing it.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
House · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
House · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
House · Consideration in detail debate
Consideration in detail debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Senate · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Senate · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Senate · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Senate · Committee of the whole: amendments considered
Senate agreed to an Opposition amendment
The Senate agreed to an Opposition amendment in committee of the whole. The final text shows the first implementation inquiry deadline moved to 5 February 2027.
Senate · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
House · Consideration of Senate message
House agreed to the Senate amendment
The House agreed to the Senate amendment, allowing the bill to pass both houses in the same form.
Parliament · Finally passed both Houses
Passed both houses
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Assent · Assent
Assent
The Governor-General gave Royal Assent, turning the bill into an Act.
