Veterans royal commission: Ipswich MP Shayne Neumann on priorities for new Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Andrew Gee

A national inquiry into the systemic issues faced by defence members and veterans leading to alarming suicide rates is looming.

New Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Andrew Gee is sworn-in at Government House in Canberra.

IPSWICH Federal MP Shayne Neumann has described the Nationals’ cabinet reshuffle as “chaos” for the veterans portfolio, saying it came at an inopportune time ahead of a royal commission into alarming defence suicide rates.

Darren Chester was ditched as Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel after Barnaby Joyce returned as party leader.

Andrew Gee has taken up the portfolio to become the sixth Veterans Affairs’ Minister in just eight years under the LNP.

Shadow Veterans Affairs Minister Shayne Neumann, in Townsville. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Mr Neumann said he had met with Mr Chester over the past couple of weeks in Canberra for detailed discussions on the direction of the department and the looming national inquiry.

More veterans have died by suicide than in war in the past 20 years and the royal commission will look into the systemic issues faced by defence members and veterans which was leading to them taking their own lives.

“I get on OK with Darren,” Mr Neumann said.

“We had our disagreements but we endeavoured to be as bipartisan as possible. We worked together.

“We didn’t always agree. Sometimes he took umbrage with the things I said.

“I think that at time when we’ve got a royal commission coming up and we’re dealing with so many challenges, you’d keep the former minister.

“Where’s the continuity?

Darren Chester was dumped from cabinet after Barnaby Joyce returned as leader of the Nationals.

“The Nationals’ reshuffle is all about political payback and rewarding supporters and mates, not about serving the interests of current and ex-service men and women.

“I’d like to thank (Mr Chester) for the manner in which our offices worked together and for the numerous talks we had about how we could work together for the benefit for the veterans community.”

The Member for Blair said Mr Gee is inheriting a “broken” veteran support system and he had a “big job” ahead of him.

With a large military community in his electorate, Mr Neumann said the impacts were obvious locally and it was imperative the government gets the royal commission right.

The Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel described it as a “one in 100-year opportunity” to fix the system.

“This government has presided over a huge blowout in wait times and a backlog of compensation claims, which has led to dangerous delays and a mental health crisis for veterans trying to access support,” he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce and Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the swearing-in ceremony at Government House in Canberra.

“It is essential that the government develops strong and broad terms of reference that look at systemic and institutional factors impacting defence and veteran suicides, and ensure that the voices of veterans and their families are heard.

“They need to appoint commissioners who are of the right standing and independent from the (Australian Defence Force) in order to ensure trust and confidence in this process.”

RSL Queensland state president Tony Ferris welcomed Mr Gee to his new position and thanked Mr Chester for his “active engagement” with the organisation.

“During Minister Chester’s time leading the portfolio we have seen the department and commissions evolve,” he said.

“In particular, we would like to acknowledge the significant increase in DVA staff secured in the recent federal budget.

“RSL Queensland will work with the new minister to ensure veterans’ voices are heard, their needs are presented with the highest priority by the government, and that the findings of the royal commission are promptly and fully implemented.

“We look forward to working with Minister Gee to help him and his department leverage RSL Queensland’s significant investment in research and programs, and our century of lived experience across hundreds of thousands of members.”

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