MEDIA RELEASE

4 FEBRUARY 2026

AMA Queensland commends Senate attention on health care for veterans

 AMA Queensland’s advocacy on behalf of veterans and the doctors who treat them has reached federal parliament, with Senator Jacqui Lambie moving a motion in the Senate to urgently improve health care for returned service men and women.

President Dr Nick Yim said doctors have long called for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to increase rebates paid for medical services provided to Australians who face physical and mental health challenges after serving their country.

“We submitted our concerns to both the department and the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide in 2023, and have continued advocating ever since,” he said.

“We know DVA rebates are less than what Australians receive under NDIS and even WorkCover arrangements.

“There is no reason why DVA rates should not be at least the same as those provided to ordinary workers who are injured on the job.”

AMA Queensland held meetings with Senator Lambie and Queensland Senator Paul Scarr.

“Senator Scarr has today raised many of our concerns, such as preferential treatment for some providers over others, no acknowledgement for multiple conditions suffered by patients, and the uncaring treatment of doctors by the department,” Dr Yim said.

“We have lost too many veterans to this unfair system, and we’re glad a light is being shone on it.”

Dr Yim said the government must require the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to be transparent about its agreements with different veteran providers.

“Practices tell us they are paid less than other providers for the same veteran health care,” he said.

“DVA must be accountable to restore trust in the system, for veterans and their treating doctors.

“The government must also address the findings of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide that identified low provider remuneration as a barrier to veteran health care access."

Senator Lambie’s amended motion, passed by the Senate, calls on the government to immediately implement its response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide recommendations, recognising that further delay is placing veterans’ lives at serious risk.

“AMA Queensland will continue to support the work of doctors committed to improving the health and wellbeing of those who put their lives on the line for our safety,” Dr Yim said.

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