Chris Penk: Veterans Minister on the move to change the definition of veterans

The Government is changing the definition of a veteran, expanding the term to cover roughly 100,000 more ex-soldiers, sailors and aviators.

However, eligibility for support entitlements will not be expanded under the Veterans Support Act.

The move comes as war hero Willie Apiata called on Chris Penk for better support for veterans.

Veterans Minister Chris Penk talks to Ryan Bridge about the decision.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Right now. The government broadening the definition today of who
is an official veteran. This will cover more former soldiers, sailors, aviators,
but they're not going to get extra compensation or pensions.
Chris penk is the minister with me now, High Minister,
good evening. So who are you extending this to.

Speaker 2 (00:19):
Well, it's everyone who has served in our armed forces
effectively for three years or more, although if you've gone
on a deployment and you're within that period of time,
you'd be recognized as a veteran. And the point is
that a lot of people join up and serve in
uniforman proudly represent the country and do all the right things.
And actually there's a slightly insulting I think some have said, actually,

(00:40):
and I think they're right that there's an official definition
of veteran on our statute book that actually precludes them.
So we're doing something about that.

Speaker 1 (00:48):
So veteran will be even if you haven't served overseas,
you've been based in New Zealand, you can still be
called a veteran.

Speaker 2 (00:55):
Yeah, that's right. And there are things that the Defense
Force do in New Zealand that actually quite SIGNI if
you think about you know, loss of life following earthquakes
for Katie White Islands. You know, dare I say the
covid roles.

Speaker 1 (01:07):
I don't think they liked that.

Speaker 2 (01:10):
That's all the more recent for them to be recognized
that they do as they're told and they serve us,
you know, in whatever the way that the government of
the DAOs that should be recognized.

Speaker 1 (01:20):
So why not give them if you want to recognize them,
why not give, as Willie A. Piata argued, give them
the support as well as the title.

Speaker 2 (01:29):
Yeah, I mean there are important ways that we can
support contemporary veterans more. And actually that's part of the
reason that we're broadening out the idea of a veteran.
I think if you had to be asked to describe one,
you might say older, a male having served in one
of the World Wars or Vietnam. But the reality is
that actually there are a lot of needs that need
to be taken into account that aren't currently so contemporary

(01:52):
veterans and mental health is a major issues, for example,
So broadening that conversation actually will be helpful in the
while protecting the support entitlements are available for those who
were injured or l in that qualifying operational service.

Speaker 1 (02:05):
So will anyone get extra supporter entitlements because of the
change that you've made.

Speaker 2 (02:10):
Not under the Veteran Support Act, but by having well,
first of all, by administering that better, by reducing the
time frames that people who are entitled actually get something
meaningful that they're already entitled to. That's a bit of
work we're doing. But actually the recognition, even though you
might think is just symbolic, you know, the symbols in
feeling valued and recognized, is actually really important to people.

(02:30):
They'll do anything for a medal, which, if you want
to reduce it is just a bit of iron with
a bit of ribbon, but actually it means something, so
I think, you know, and certainly the feedback I've been
getting this afternoon is people are really pleased that actually
they're going to feel valued in a way that that
many of them haven't until now.

Speaker 1 (02:46):
Chris Penk, Chris pink Rather the Veterans Minister, thanks so
much for your time. Appreciate it. Ten after five for
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