Ministerial Statement

VETERANS AFFAIRS MINISTER

The Hon. M.D. RANN (Ramsay—Premier, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change) (14:01): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. M.D. RANN: This morning, His Excellency the Governor, Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce, swore in the state's new Minister for Veterans Affairs. I asked the Attorney-General, who has returned from representing the state at commemorations at Anzac Cove at Gallipoli, to take on this role. I am advised that the Attorney-General will be only the second state veterans affairs minister in Australia after Victoria.

We have established this portfolio following requests from the RSL and the ex-service organisations. Indeed, today's swearing-in ceremony at Government House was witnessed by representatives from a number of the state's ex-service organisations. Those attending the ceremony included Mr Jock Statton OAM, State President of the RSL; Mr Bob Ellis, President of the Vietnam Veterans Federation; Mr Harley Doyle, Vice President of the Vietnam Veterans Association; Mr Greg Blyth, President of the TPI Association; Mr David Kerr, President of the Naval Association; Mr Bill Schmidt AM (who survived Changi as a POW), Deputy Chairman of Consultative Council of Ex-Service Organisations; Mr David Helman, President of the RAAF Association; Mr John Spencer OAM, Honorary Secretary of the SA Peacekeepers RSL Sub-Branch; and Mr John Jarrett, Korean and South East Asian Veterans Association. Each of those veterans is remarkable, as is the contribution of every man and woman whom they represent, and their support for this appointment is most welcomed.

South Australians who served our country have earned our eternal respect and thanks, and we have a responsibility to care for the health and wellbeing of veterans and their dependants. We are committed to delivering the best services for our 50,000 veterans, and the Minister for Veterans Affairs will provide assistance in order to make it easier for veterans to access all our services. Right now, many different departments provide services to our veterans, including health, ageing, disability, mental health and transport, amongst others. If issues arise, rather than having to deal with different departments, the new Minister for Veterans Affairs can become a focal point to help save time and improve services.

The minister will work with his federal counterpart, help to coordinate funding of veterans issues and oversee veterans' events, including memorial projects and education programs. No new department will be required. The existing ANZAC Day Commemoration Council will advise the minister, and the minister's staff will support him to assist veterans. The new minister will establish a broader-based advisory body, comprising representatives of veterans organisations. His chief adviser on veterans affairs will be Lieutenant Colonel Bill Denny AM, a Vietnam veteran who chairs the ANZAC Day Committee and the ANZAC Day Commemoration Council. He has been heavily involved in veterans and ex-service matters since leaving the Army in 1990.

The government is committed to honouring the memory of those who died for their country, as well as honouring the service of South Australians who served overseas. As well as the Attorney-General representing the state at Gallipoli last week, the Minister for Education and Children's Services attended the ANZAC dawn service at the Australian National Cemetery at Villers Bretonneux in France, accompanying the five winners of this year's ANZAC School Prize. Can I say how moved I was to receive a card from those students yesterday.

Since coming to office, the government has demonstrated its commitment to supporting veterans. That commitment has included carrying out a $4.3 million upgrade of the Torrens Parade Ground building and also the parade ground itself; saving the graves and memorials of war veterans in Centennial Park's Derrick Gardens and the RSL Walls; providing funding for the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial at the Torrens Parade Ground; expanding the Repatriation General Hospital with a new $10.5 million 30-bed aged mental health care facility; and introducing the Premier's ANZAC Prize to give young South Australians each year the opportunity to visit battlefields and graves and to attend services in remembrance of those who lost their life at war.

The government has passed legislation to protect ANZAC Day traditions and to establish the ANZAC Day Commemoration Council. Also, of course, there was an intervention in terms of allowing the playing of two-up on ANZAC Day, because we must always honour the sacrifices made by the men and women who put on a uniform and defended our country and protect peace around the world.