Question Time AU

Bill Debate · Consideration of Senate Message

Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner Bill 2025; Consideration of Senate Message

House of Representatives · Tuesday 31 March 2026

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

The House considered a Senate amendment to the Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner Bill 2025. The amendment advanced the deadline for the commissioner's first report on the government's response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. Both the government and the coalition supported the change, which moved the reporting date from December 2027 to February 2027. The amendment was agreed to without opposition.

Outcome

The amendment was agreed to.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Matt Keogh (Burt) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

Keogh moved that the amendment be agreed to, noting it implemented recommendation 122 of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. Keogh described the establishment of the commission as a significant milestone in delivering on royal commission recommendations. Keogh highlighted that the amendment brought forward the first inquiry date from 2 December 2027 to 5 February 2027. Keogh thanked the opposition for their bipartisan cooperation in ensuring support for defence personnel and veterans.

Opposition response

Michael McCormack (Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs) Nationals Riverina

McCormack explained that the coalition had originally proposed a September 2026 date but adjusted it to February 2027 following concerns from the Acting Commissioner about implementation timelines. McCormack argued that the original December 2027 deadline was too slow and risked weakening accountability for the government's actions. McCormack stated that the new date allowed sufficient time to assess early-stage reforms while maintaining transparency. McCormack confirmed that the amendment did not alter the commissioner's independence or powers.