Question Time AU

Take Note Debate

Veterans

Senate · Tuesday 11 August 2026

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

At a glance

Senator Jacqui Lambie moved a take note debate regarding the Department of Veterans' Affairs failure to pay medical practitioners for reports required for veteran compensation claims. She argued that unpaid invoices were causing doctors to withhold completed reports, thereby delaying assessments and increasing risks to veteran wellbeing. The Senator cited specific instances of non-payment and alleged that the department was using unpaid reports to make decisions. The motion was agreed to by the Senate.

Outcome

The question 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

Jacqui Lambie (TAS) (Jacqui Lambie Network) JLN

Lambie argued that the Department of Veterans' Affairs was failing to pay approved doctors for medical reports, with some invoices remaining unpaid for over 90 days. Lambie stated that this financial neglect was causing practitioners to withhold completed liability and personal injury reports, which delayed compensation assessments for veterans. Lambie claimed that the department was using these unpaid reports to make decisions, a practice she described as unacceptable. Lambie referenced the Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans' Mental Health, noting that delays in claims processing heightened the risk of veteran suicide. The Senator asserted that the situation had deteriorated significantly in the previous six months, contrary to earlier improvements.