Mr HARTSUYKER (1:37 PM) —During our nation's history, our nation has been unfortunately involved in a great number of conflicts. Many men from many generations have been called to fight for our country. My generation owes a special debt to those veterans who fought on our nation's behalf. My generation is one of the few generations in the nation's history that has been spared from the horrors of war.

It was some 55 years after the end of World War I that veterans of that conflict received full health care repatriation benefits. World War II veterans aged over 70, with qualifying service, also received access to the gold card some 54 years after the end of that war. The notion of qualifying service recognises the special contribution of those who encountered danger from hostile enemy forces. It is a very important concept, because it must have been incredibly stressful for the men involved in those conflicts. I do not think any of us here in this House who have not served in active conflict could begin to imagine the difficulties that one would encounter on active service.

Today, some 280,000 veterans enjoy access to the gold card. On a recent visit to the electorate of Cowper last year with Mr Bruce Scott, the then Minister for Veterans' Affairs, I was heartened on meeting with a number of veterans. They were quite emotional when they described the services that they had received from the Department of Veterans' Affairs. They were most thankful to the then Minister Scott for the help that the department had offered them with the medical problems that they had encountered in later years. It was heartening to see a government program working to assist veterans.

It is timely now that we should be looking after the health needs of qualifying veterans from other conflicts that occurred after World War II. This initiative forms a central part of the coalition's platform from last year's election, and I am very pleased that the government is delivering on this commitment to the veteran community early in the parliamentary term. I think this commitment demonstrates that the National and Liberal parties are very concerned in looking after those people who served our great country. The commitment to repatriation and health care services is recognised as giving gratitude to those who have fought for the Australian people in times of need, particularly by generations such as mine who have been spared having to be involved in conflicts. This is an extremely important issue to the local community in my electorate of Cowper, where many ex-service men and women live today. I know that the Veterans' Entitlements Amendment (Gold Card Extension) Bill 2002 will be welcomed by veterans in Cowper and their families.

Local veterans would also have cause to welcome the recent government announcement of an independent review of veterans' entitlements. This review, together with the bill presently before the House, builds on our commitment to the health care needs and concerns of those ex-service men and women. The findings of the review of veterans' entitlements are being eagerly awaited by many veterans not currently eligible under the qualifying service requirements to receive a gold card. I am often approached by constituents, ex-servicemen who served where they were asked and when they were asked on behalf of their country, seeking to have gold card eligibility extended to their particular theatre of service. I commend the government for undertaking that review.

Recently in the adjournment debate, the member for Maranoa commented on the improper use of the last post when it was played on the departure of Ansett flight 152 from Perth to Sydney. The member quite rightly called for the last post to be protected from such improper use, in a similar manner to the protection afforded to the term `ANZAC'. I believe veterans would concur with this action. Certainly, those veterans who are gold card members and those who are seeking to become gold card members by having the entitlements extended would most definitely concur with the sentiments expressed by the member for Maranoa on the playing of the last post.

The veteran community distinguish themselves in peacetime as well as in war. In my electorate, we have many RSL sub-branches that continue the spirit of mateship and camaraderie that was displayed in times of conflict. Members of these branches look out for each other in peacetime, as in times of conflict. They support each other, particularly those of advancing years. I think that is an excellent trait to display. It is a very Australian trait to be looking after your mates, to be looking after those less well than yourself.

To receive repatriation benefits is a great honour. The entitlements of the gold card allow holders or their eligible dependants access to treatment for any injury suffered or disease contracted, regardless of when the injury or disease was suffered or contracted. Through the white card, assistance is available for specified treatment to otherwise ineligible veterans and to their dependants or former dependants for certain specified conditions. Gold card holders have access to a range of repatriation and pharmaceutical benefits. They have access to private hospital care, which I think no-one would seek to deny them. My father-in-law enjoyed the benefit of such care when he was seriously ill some years ago. They are entitled to general practitioner services, specialist services, optical care—an issue of particular importance to our ageing veterans—physiotherapy, podiatry and home nursing care, which enables veterans to stay longer in their own homes and that is obviously what all of us would seek to do in our later years. They are also entitled to dental services, and the list goes on.

Veterans with qualifying service deserve these services. They have put their lives in danger to protect our country. They have dedicated themselves to our hour of national need. This bill gives appropriate recognition to the service of those very fine service men and women. I commend the bill to the House.