Judith Collins
You were a vocal advocate for veterans while in Opposition, from where does your interest in veterans’ issues stem?
My father was a veteran, and my interest in veterans’ affairs also grew out of the plight of Vietnam veterans’ efforts to gain recognition for the health effects of Agent Orange. To me, this seemed like a terrible injustice, and one that I could use my position as an MP to help put right. During the battle for an inquiry and the establishment of a joint working group, I met many veterans who inspired me with their courage, their humility and their dignity. I see it as an honour to be able to oversee the provision of services to the men and women who have served NZ and to help keep the memory of the service of veterans, past and present, alive.
Having been Minister for a few months now, what do you see as the biggest challenge in your portfolio?
The biggest challenge will be to ensure that the government is responsive to the changing needs of veterans. It will be more important than ever that veterans can express their concerns directly to the government and be heard.
Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand (VANZ) was recently made an operational unit of the New Zealand Defence Force. What implications does this have for you as Minister?
Despite being an operational unit of the NZDF, VANZ still enjoys substantial operational autonomy in providing services to veterans. The NZDF has an obligation to consider its members’ potential needs as veterans. This is important both for veterans and for the retention of service personnel.
Talking with veterans, you sometimes sense that they feel disappointed that VANZ has not been ‘their’ advocate within government (say in the way Te Puni Kokiri or Women’s Affairs have represented Maori or Women) – do you agree?
Yes, it was clear that veterans didn’t have full confidence in VANZ as a stand-alone entity and this was reflected in the memorandum of understanding between the Joint Working Group, the RNZRSA and EVSA. I believe that making VANZ an operational unit of the NZDF, with its greater access to support and expertise, will address many of the areas of concern. The process will take some time to happen, but the government is committed to ensuring the wishes of veterans as expressed in the memorandum are upheld. VANZ is making progress in some important areas, such as the move towards total case management. Ensuring veterans are better informed and better able to access services are, I believe, key functions of VANZ.
The Law Commission is proposing a new Act to ensure veterans are guaranteed entitlements. What is your view of this initiative?
Any veteran that is entitled to a pension and wishes to have a pension, should receive one. However, eligibility as determined through the War Pensions Act is complex and can be confusing, There is currently no accurate database of veterans. The National Party policy in 2008 included, among other things, a commitment to have a war/military service question as part of the next Census so we can gather the necessary information as to the number of veterans there are. I’m supportive of the objectives of the Law Commission’s review of the War Pensions legislation, and recently met with the commission to help move the legislation forward.
There’s been a noticeable improvement in the relationship between the RNZRSA, VANZ, the NZDF and the Government in the past 12 months. Are these relationships important to you as Minister?
These relationships are extremely important, and I can only hope they get stronger. These organisations provide a vital link between government and the veterans’ community. They communicate policy and entitlements, and provide valuable feedback to the government on the needs of veterans and what it can do better.
At the end of your electoral term, how will you measure your success as Minister of Veterans’ Affairs?
Success in this portfolio is a veterans’ community whose contribution to peace, security and democracy is recognised and honoured, and where those who served New Zealand have the services and support they need to live in dignity and good health.