Mr NAIRN(5.23 p.m.) —I am very pleased to speak to this piece of very important legislation, the Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Budget and Compensation Measures) Bill 1997 , and I am sure that, in doing so, I will have the support of many of my constituents in Eden-Monaro. I say that confidently because I have quite a large population of veterans living throughout my electorate—in particular, along the coastal area, where many of them live in splendid retirement. I am also confident in that I have had constituents make representations to me since my becoming a federal member on a number of the issues that are addressed in this legislation. I will return to that aspect later.

The three specific amendments to this legislation are, firstly, to extend the eligibility of certain benefits to armed forces personnel who served in some overseas deployments, and these benefits will include defence service home loans; secondly, to allow all disability pensioners and their war widows or widowers the possibility of an advance of a lump sum payment of up to $500; and, thirdly, to limit Commonwealth liability for injury and death to service personnel due solely to tobacco use commencing or occurring after 31 December 1997.

The first part of this amendment is particularly important. As background comment, I should point out that currently there are two categories of pensions and benefits: operation al service and qualifying service. Operational service refers to service overseas in a clearly defined area during a war or similar operation. Under this category, personnel are eligible for a disability pension for injuries, disease or death where it can be attributed to that service. I seek leave to continue my remarks later.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.