9. Question No. 9—VeteransGREG O'CONNOR (Labour—Ōhāriu) to the Minister for VeteransQuestion No. 9—Veterans9. GREG O'CONNOR (Labour—Ōhāriu) to the Minister for Veterans: Does he stand by his statement that the Veterans' Independence Programme is a great thing to be able to do"; if so does he support Veterans' Affairs' move to restrict access to the Veterans' Independence Programme?Hon CHRIS PENK (Minister for Veterans): To the first part of the question: yes. To the second part of the question: also yes. I strongly support the prioritisation of existing resources that are available particularly to those ex-service personnel who have been injured or become ill as a result of their service to New Zealand. As the situation currently stands as we inherited it takes for example 361 days on average for a disablement pension claim to be processed and provided. Clearly that's not acceptable and anything that we can do to improve the situation for those veterans is not only the moral thing to do; it is the legally required course of action in accordance with the Veterans' Support Act.Greg O'Connor: Does he agree with former Minister Craig Foss that "Under the VIP support is available to all veterans with qualifying service whether or not they have a service-related injury … This means that more veterans will be able to access the services and support provided by Veterans' Affairs than ever before."; if not why not?Hon CHRIS PENK: I strongly support the idea that to the greatest extent possible the New Zealand Government would provide independence-type services to veterans even those who have not been injured or become ill as a result of their services to New Zealand. That is why referencing my quote to the New Zealand Herald recently in the first part of the primary question I stated that it's "a great thing to be able to do". It's not a thing that we're able to do however at the moment in the context of the situation we've inherited to the extent that those resources are taken away from those who have made claims and are waiting up to a year on average to receive the help they need deserve and are entitled to under the Act.Greg O'Connor: What action if any has he taken to retain entitlements to the Veterans' Independence Programme?Hon CHRIS PENK: The scheme continues to exist and we will advocate as much as possible for its continuation. However on the current parameters the resources available and as appropriated by the last Government it is not feasible to continue those at the expense of more fundamental core and non-discretionary functions.Greg O'Connor: Does he believe suspending entitlements to the Veterans' Independence Programme is acceptable when his Government campaigned on ensuring veterans receive the care recognition and support they deserve?Hon CHRIS PENK: Well it's more acceptable than the situation that has been allowed to prevail which many people across the country have raised to me and various local representatives such that they seek the care that they need deserve and are legally entitled to under the Veterans' Support Act. Clearly there's a prioritisation that has needed to be made. Obviously we will improve the situation as best we can including by improving the processes potentially working with non-Government agency or organisation partners. For example I acknowledge the RSA for reaching out and offering such support. That's work that we're actively engaged in."