CHAIR - Are occupational licensing arrangements creating challenges in all this? Mr WEBSTER - There has been little change in the actual outcome of occupational licensing. Licensing is now online; we have sped up the process of practitioners getting their licences. The Government has also extended licensing so that now it is not yearly but it is up to three years - so you can renew for a three-year period, which means that people are not having to come back to us constantly. There are a number of reforms in speeding up the process of getting a licence. CHAIR - They can have their licence taken off them, though, in that period. Mr WEBSTER - That's right. The occupational licensing process has a number of steps around rectification orders and disciplinary processes to withdraw licences and things like that. CHAIR - Have any occupational licences been withdrawn in the last 12 months? Mr WEBSTER - No, we haven't withdrawn any in the last 12 months. CHAIR - Thank you, minister. We will move to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs. You may wish to change your team, with all due respect to those who are at the table. DIVISION 1 Department of Communities Tasmania Output Group 6 Disability Services and Community Development Overview 6.6 Veterans' Affairs Mr BARNETT - Alex Schouten is a former Director of Veterans' Affairs in the Department of Premier and Cabinet and has just moved to a new role. I want to put on the record my sincere thanks for her most valuable contribution over a long period. - Thank you, minister. Do you need to make any opening comments or can we go CHAIR straight to questions? Mr BARNETT - I will recap because the Budget is full of wonderful initiative for Veterans' Affairs. It is a record funding commitment of support for ex-service personnel and their families. We have peak body status for the RSL Tasmania, which will see an increase in core annual funding of $110 000 to provide assistance and advocacy. Indexation is at 2.25 per cent. There is a provision of $50 000 per year for three years to RSL to undertake projects to improve service delivery to ex-service men and women. There is $50 000 to RSL Tasmania to deliver events celebrating the 2018 Armistice Centenary, which also marks the end of the Anzac Centenary.
CHAIR - Are occupational licensing arrangements creating challenges in all this? Mr WEBSTER - There has been little change in the actual outcome of occupational licensing. Licensing is now online; we have sped up the process of practitioners getting their licences. The Government has also extended licensing so that now it is not yearly but it is up to three years - so you can renew for a three-year period, which means that people are not having to come back to us constantly. There are a number of reforms in speeding up the process of getting a licence. CHAIR - They can have their licence taken off them, though, in that period. Mr WEBSTER - That's right. The occupational licensing process has a number of steps around rectification orders and disciplinary processes to withdraw licences and things like that. CHAIR - Have any occupational licences been withdrawn in the last 12 months? Mr WEBSTER - No, we haven't withdrawn any in the last 12 months. CHAIR - Thank you, minister. We will move to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs. You may wish to change your team, with all due respect to those who are at the table. DIVISION 1 Department of Communities Tasmania Output Group 6 Disability Services and Community Development Overview 6.6 Veterans' Affairs Mr BARNETT - Alex Schouten is a former Director of Veterans' Affairs in the Department of Premier and Cabinet and has just moved to a new role. I want to put on the record my sincere thanks for her most valuable contribution over a long period. CHAIR - Thank you, minister. Do you need to make any opening comments or can we go straight to questions? Mr BARNETT - I will recap because the Budget is full of wonderful initiative for Veterans' Affairs. It is a record funding commitment of support for ex-service personnel and their families. We have peak body status for the RSL Tasmania, which will see an increase in core annual funding of $110 000 to provide assistance and advocacy. Indexation is at 2.25 per cent. There is a provision of $50 000 per year for three years to RSL to undertake projects to improve service delivery to ex-service men and women. There is $50 000 to RSL Tasmania to deliver events celebrating the 2018 Armistice Centenary, which also marks the end of the Anzac Centenary.