Senator IAN CAMPBELL (10:27 AM) —I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard .

Leave granted.

The speech read as follows—

It is almost eighty years since an armistice restored peace after the war that the entire world thought would end all wars. Sadly, peace did not last. However the Australian repatriation system, born at the same time, to care for those who returned from the Great War, has not only endured but evolved to meet the ever changing needs of the veteran community.

Today, we remain true to the goals of repatriation. More importantly, after eighty years we continue to improve the benefits provided to those Australians whose service deserves our ongoing recognition and practical assistance.

This bill contains the most significant expansion of veterans' benefits for many years.

From 1 January 1999, eligibility for a Repatriation Health Card—For All Conditions, better known as a Gold Card, will be extended to Australian veterans aged 70 or over, who faced danger from hostile forces of the enemy during World War 2. This will provide these veterans with the certainty and comfort that comes with knowing that their health needs will always be met.

Full health care benefits were extended to World War I veterans fifty-five years after the end of that conflict. In providing this further extension of the Gold Card, Australian World War II veterans aged 70 years and over with World War II qualifying service, will receive the same benefit fifty-four years after the end of that war.

The criterion on which this extension of eligibility is based, is the "incurred danger" test, formally known as `qualifying service'. This qualifying service must have occurred during the `period of hostilities' as defined in the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986. This covers the period from 3 September 1939 to 29 October 1945, inclusive.

Qualifying service is also a criterion for Service Pension. Service pension was introduced in 1936 for those veterans who served in a theatre of war. It was intended to recognise that these veterans faced danger from hostile forces of the enemy, and endured the deprivations, the horror and the hardship of battle.

World War 2 veterans with qualifying service are now an average age of 76. Their health care is a very high priority for this Government.

This initiative extends to an estimated additional 50,000 veterans a comprehensive range of health care services, including private patient hospital care.

Other health services provided through the Gold Card include:

. choice of doctor;

. pharmaceuticals at the concessional rate;

. optical care;

. physiotherapy;

. dental care;

. podiatry care and products; and

. chiropractic services.

Eligible veterans, that is those aged 70 or over, with World War 2 qualifying service, will be eligible for these benefits regardless of their level of income or assets and irrespective of whether they have war-caused disabilities or conditions.

They will join an estimated 260,000 veterans who already have a Gold Card. Of the 50,000 additional veterans expected to become newly eligible for a Gold Card, approximately 17,000 are current holders of a White Card—that is they are only eligible for health treatment for their war-caused disabilities and conditions.

This initiative, costing around $500 million over four years, is an important means of recognising the willing sacrifice made by veterans in Australia's time of need and of expressing our profound gratitude for their courage and dedication.

Extension of the Gold Card has been a top priority of the Government and also of the Returned & Services League and other ex-service organisations. I am pleased that this initiative fulfils yet another Coalition election commitment and further demonstrates the Government's commitment to providing older Australians with greater security and stability.

I commend the bill to the Senate.

Ordered that further consideration of the second reading speech of this bill be adjourned until the first day of the spring sittings, in accordance with standing order 111.