Queensland Veterans' Council Bill 2021

Supported the bill as establishing a council that will represent veterans on matters of physical importance such as Anzac Square, grants from the Anzac Day Trust, and ensure veterans have a voice on veterans matters.

“We will now have a Veterans' Council that will be able to not only represent veterans on matters of physical importance such as Anzac Square and the grants that come from the Anzac Day Trust but also ensure they have a voice when it comes to veterans matters and have a level of representation, no matter how quiet they are about their service.”— 2021-10-27View Hansard

Supported the bill, highlighting the importance of Anzac Square to the community including Kiwis who call Queensland home. Praised the work of her three local RSLs and their diverse approaches to remembrance.

“I believe that Anzac Square has significant importance for the Queensland community, particularly the Kiwis who have come to call Queensland home, and it will do for so for generations to come.”— 2021-10-27View Hansard

Acknowledged the bill's intent but raised concerns about the council merging three distinct functions, the potential for political appointments, and the abolition of the Anzac Day Trust which had operated effectively for over 100 years. Said KAP had not yet decided its position.

“This bill is unique and unlike any other in Australia because it merges three things: the necessary management of Anzac Square; management of the Anzac Day Trust; and representation of veterans issues to government. Essentially the same council will be providing advice on three separate matters.”— 2021-10-27View Hansard

Supported the bill as a member representing a garrison city with Lavarack Barracks. Emphasised the importance of recording and preserving military history and keeping the Anzac spirit alive.

“It is not just about doing the right thing but about keeping the spirit alive.”— 2021-10-27View Hansard

Supported the bill as continuing Queensland's support for veteran communities. Welcomed the government amendment to ensure at least 50 per cent veteran representation on the council and the mandatory establishment of the veterans reference group.

“This bill continues the long and honourable support of Queenslanders for our veteran communities and Queensland's most significant memorial site—Anzac Square. It puts veterans front and centre in the management of the institutions they hold most dear.”— 2021-10-27View Hansard

Expressed significant reservations about the bill, arguing it is a missed opportunity by focusing predominantly on Anzac Square administration rather than veteran welfare. Supported LNP amendments but acknowledged the government's correction to increase veteran representation to 50 per cent.

“I believe that placing the focus of this bill predominantly on the maintenance of Anzac Square is a missed opportunity for the state government to better support veterans and their families.”— 2021-10-27View Hansard

Supported the bill as establishing a modern framework for veterans matters and sending a message that veterans are important. Praised the inclusion of a broad definition of veterans community and the government's amendments.

“This bill says to veterans across Queensland: you are important and we want to make our state work as best as possible for you.”— 2021-10-27View Hansard

Supported the bill as establishing a statutory body to strengthen and modernise the legislative framework for veterans matters. Highlighted the importance of Anzac Square as a place of significance for all Queenslanders.

“Anzac Square is too important for us not to guarantee its oversight in memory of those who lost their lives in the many theatres of war.”— 2021-10-27View Hansard

Supported the bill and the committee's recommendations to ensure at least 50 per cent veteran representation on the QVC. Noted submitters' justified concerns about the original governance structure filtering veterans' advice through a non-veteran majority.

“We rely on our veterans communities for the selfless commitments they make—in the memorials they care for, in remembrance, in the events that acknowledge the men and women and their families who make sacrifices for us—and the support that is desperately needed. In return, they should be able to rely on us.”— 2021-10-27View Hansard

Raised significant concerns about the proposed membership structure and inadequate consultation. Argued the bill should be further amended to require the chair be a veteran representative and that the original two-veteran membership was a critical flaw.

“This would have effectively established a Veterans' Council in name only, with just two members being of the veteran community.”— 2021-10-27View Hansard

Supported the bill, welcoming the amendment to ensure fifty-fifty veteran representation on the council. Highlighted the opportunity to grow depth and breadth of education throughout Anzac Square and advocated for representation of women veterans.

“With the amendments to ensure a fifty-fifty representation of veterans on the council, I believe that will add to the opportunity for more firsthand accounts and primary perspectives being included, especially when we acknowledge the service and conflicts post-World War II.”— 2021-10-27View Hansard

Acknowledged the importance of Anzac Square but argued the bill missed opportunities to focus on veteran welfare. Highlighted innovative veteran support programs in Toowoomba such as budget endurance racing, adaptive sport and drone training.

“It is important that we remember that veterans are Queenslanders who answered the call to serve and served. When they get back, it is particularly our responsibility to provide a framework and an environment where their service can be honoured.”— 2021-10-27View Hansard

Supported the bill as lifting the level of guardianship of Anzac Square to those to whom it means the most. Drew on his experience as former chair of the Senate defence subcommittee to endorse the bill and the government's amendments guaranteeing 50 per cent veteran representation.

“This bill is a chance for us to lift the level of guardianship of this most sacred momentum to the men and women to whom it means the most: those who have served in the Defence Force, their families and the broader veterans community.”— 2021-10-27View Hansard

Responded to the debate as minister with carriage of the bill. Defended the government's model which would include at least 12 veterans or members of the veterans community across the council and reference group, and argued the LNP amendments would reduce veteran representation.

“The creation of the Queensland Veterans' Council via this bill will elevate the role of veterans in the management of their own affairs in a way that has never been seen before in this state.”— 2021-10-27View Hansard

Criticised the bill for conflating three distinct functions, sidelining veterans' voices with inadequate representation and consultation, and focusing overwhelmingly on Anzac Square administration with little consideration of veteran welfare. Supported the LNP position that veterans must have a majority voice.

“It is rather sobering to think that those whom the bill is intended to serve are not afforded a majority voice in veterans affairs in Queensland.”— 2021-10-27View Hansard

Supported the bill and the Palaszczuk government's commitment to veterans. Highlighted local veterans initiatives in Maryborough including the Gallipoli to Armistice Memorial and the government's employment pathway for ex-veterans in the public sector.

“The Palaszczuk government has respect for veterans.”— 2021-10-27View Hansard

Spoke in support of establishing the Queensland Veterans' Council as a statutory body.

“I rise to speak in support of the Queensland Veterans' Council Bill 2021.”— 2021-10-26View Hansard

Spoke in support, thanking the committee and secretariat for their work on the bill.

“I rise to speak in support of the Queensland Veterans' Council Bill 2021.”— 2021-10-26View Hansard

Spoke wholeheartedly in support of veterans, wanting to give voice to their disappointments as expressed in committee testimony.

“I rise to speak to this bill wholeheartedly in support of our veterans and wanting to give voice to their disappointments as expressed in testimony.”— 2021-10-26View Hansard

Spoke in support, acknowledging veterans across Queensland and Australia.

“I rise today in support of the Queensland Veterans' Council Bill 2021.”— 2021-10-26View Hansard

Spoke in support of establishing the QVC as a statutory body to support veterans.

“I rise to speak in support of the Queensland Veterans' Council Bill 2021.”— 2021-10-26View Hansard

While ultimately commending the bill, described it as a missed opportunity for the state government to do more to support veterans' welfare, homelessness and mental health. Supported LNP amendments for greater veteran representation on the council.

“The Queensland Veterans' Council Bill is a missed opportunity in my view. It is a missed opportunity for the Queensland state government to do more to support the welfare of veterans and their families.”— 2021-10-26View Hansard

Spoke in support, highlighting the bill's two key aspects of protecting Anzac Square and establishing the QVC.

“I rise to support the Queensland Veterans' Council Bill 2021.”— 2021-10-26View Hansard

Supported the bill's intent but raised concerns about how local volunteer veteran groups and war memorial communities would be affected, hoping those concerns would be addressed.

“I hope those concerns are addressed in this bill.”— 2021-10-26View Hansard

Spoke in support, recognising the Premier's important step to strengthen government support of the veteran community.

“I rise to speak in support of the Queensland Veterans' Council Bill 2021.”— 2021-10-26View Hansard

Thanked the committee and spoke in support of the bill establishing the QVC.

“I wish to thank the members of the Community Support and Services Committee and their staff for their consideration of the bill.”— 2021-10-26View Hansard

Spoke in support, noting the bill provides a modern governance framework to further support veterans.

“I rise in support of the Queensland Veterans' Council Bill 2021, which provides a modern governance framework to further support our state's veterans now and into the future.”— 2021-10-26View Hansard

Spoke in support of establishing the QVC as a statutory body.

“I rise to speak in support of the bill before the House, the Queensland Veterans' Council Bill 2021.”— 2021-10-26View Hansard

Supported the bill's intent and LNP amendments to ensure veteran majority on the council and a veteran chair, arguing the council should focus on veterans' matters rather than just asset management.

“The LNP amendments will give back control of veterans issues to veterans themselves.”— 2021-10-26View Hansard

Spoke in support of the bill.

“I rise to speak in support of the Queensland Veterans' Council Bill 2021.”— 2021-10-26View Hansard

As a proud serving veteran herself, spoke in support of the bill, noting the difficulty of unifying the veterans community on issues. Adjourned the debate.

“I rise to speak in support of this bill. I declare to the House that I am a proud veteran representing this side of the House.”— 2021-10-26View Hansard