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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-11-01 Daily Xml
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Veterans

The Hon. S.L. GAME (15:25): I rise today in support of our veterans and to emphasise the contribution they make to our community in South Australia. Despite this contribution, however, I am mindful that some of our veterans need help, and that the state government has an important role to play.

I asked the Minister for Veterans Affairs if it was appropriate for psychologists providing mental health counselling for veterans in South Australia to receive $61 less per session under the federal rebate system than they would treating NDIS clients. The state government needs to provide more support for veterans in South Australia to make up for this shortfall, which is seeing some providers dropping veteran clients in favour of NDIS clients. I am pleased that the minister has agreed to write to the federal Minister for Veterans' Affairs to request that the disparity between the Medicare Benefits Schedule fee between NDIS and federal Department of Veterans' Affairs clients be investigated.

Other states provide broader concessions to veterans to ease cost-of-living pressures. In Victoria, for example, they offer more discounts, including free ambulance transport for all white and gold card veterans. In South Australia, we only offer a discount for gold card veterans. In New South Wales, ex-defence personnel with a transport concession entitlement card receive free travel on most public transport. In Queensland, eligible veterans receive a subsidy up to $200 each year on council rates. I would like to see the same level of support for our veterans in South Australia as we see interstate.

The fifth annual suicide monitoring report commissioned by the federal Department of Veterans' Affairs, 'Serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members who have served since 1985 suicide monitoring: 1997 to 2020', found that 1,600 ADF members and veterans with service after 1985 died by suicide between 1997 and 2020. In fact, Australia has lost more serving and ex-veterans to suicide than in any operation in the last 20 years. These numbers emphasise the urgency of the need to continue to work to improve services and support, and to reach out to our veterans.

Due to protective factors associated with ongoing ADF membership, current serving military personnel are half as likely to die by suicide as everyday Australians. However, there is a dramatic difference for military personnel once they leave the ADF. In fact, ex-serving male ADF personnel were revealed to be 27 per cent more likely to die by suicide when compared with the Australian population, while ex-servicewomen are twice as likely to take their own lives than those who have not served.

There are many reasons why veterans commit suicide. The 2022 report found the most common risk factors for permanent, reserve and ex-serving ADF members who died by suicide were experiencing a mood affective disorder, such as depression, and problems in spousal relationships. There is PTSD, depression and anxiety that are related directly to the service, as well as transitioning into civilian life, which can be difficult.

We have several hardworking agencies and organisations, including Veterans SA, Home Base SA, Veterans Advisory Council, Veteran Wellbeing Centre and Jamie Larcombe Centre, which provide mental health and PTSD services to veterans. These organisations are vital, but in need of additional funding from the state government.

The budget has allocated $2½ million to Veterans SA over the current financial year, a welcome increase from the previous year; however, we know this deal falls well short of what is required. There are significant systemic problems getting veterans in to see a treating psychiatrist because there are not enough beds available for psychiatrists and other specialists to treat them.

Many of the Australian Defence Force personnel aged in their 20s have more responsibility than their civilian peers but, even so, transitioning out of the service can be a difficult process for the veterans who do so every year. These are often individuals who have lived experience of leading people or managing crises. They have demonstrated the ability to work hard and learn quickly. The important role of family in supporting current and ex-serving ADF members needs greater focus, as more support is needed for partners and families.

Many veterans have reported negative experiences when dealing with government agencies and there is a pressing need to streamline administrative practices. We know the state government needs to do more to provide better support for veterans, particularly in the mental health space. The death of any current or former serving ADF member is a tragedy felt deeply by all in the Defence Force, veteran communities and the broader community. As a parliament, we need to continue to advocate for our veterans in need.

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