Question Time AU

General Debate

Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide

Senate · Wednesday 4 February 2026

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

At a glance

The Senate debated a motion moved by Senator Jacqui Lambie calling for the immediate implementation of recommendations from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. Speakers across parties supported the motion, citing urgent failures in the veteran healthcare system, including fragmented care, low provider fees compared to other schemes, and delays in claims processing. The government highlighted progress on implementing recommendations and upcoming legislative reforms, while opposition and crossbench members criticised the pace of change and systemic issues within the Department of Veterans' Affairs and the Australian Defence Force.

Outcome

The motion was agreed to, with the government moving an amendment to paragraph (f) which was accepted.

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

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Jacqui Lambie (TAS) (Jacqui Lambie Network) JLN

Senator Lambie moved the motion, arguing that the veteran healthcare system remains broken, fragmented, and difficult to navigate, which increases suicide risk. Lambie criticised the Department of Veterans' Affairs for administrative failures, poor data sharing, and a lack of accessible psychiatric hospital beds, noting that she had personally intervened to secure care for veterans during the Christmas period. Lambie called on the government to immediately implement all royal commission recommendations, warning that further delay placed veterans' lives at serious risk and that the public health system was ill-equipped to handle veteran mental health needs without specific support.

Government response

Anthony Chisholm (Assistant Minister for Regional Development; Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; Assistant Minister for Resources) ALP QLD

Senator Chisholm supported the suspension of standing orders to allow the debate but moved an amendment to soften the call for immediate implementation, noting that some recommendations require further work. Chisholm outlined the government's progress, stating that 32 of 122 recommendations had been implemented and work was underway on 89 others, with two-thirds expected to be completed by the end of the year. Chisholm highlighted the establishment of the Defence and Veterans' Service Commission, funding for mental health support, and the passage of the VETS Act to streamline claims processing from 1 July 2026. Chisholm also noted that the Department of Veterans' Affairs was updating fee schedules to better reflect practitioner costs.

Opposition response

Michaelia Cash (Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs; Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Liberal WA

Senator Cash supported the motion, emphasising that Australia's obligation to veterans is enduring and that the current system was failing those who served. Cash reminded the government that the Liberal Party had established the royal commission and built the reform infrastructure, urging the current administration to implement the agreed response in full. Cash argued that veterans should never have to fight for the care they have earned and called for unity in the chamber to ensure the system works effectively for all serving members and veterans.