Received

The federal government has apologised to Australian veterans and their families for failings in the way the defence forces and veterans' affairs department have operated.

The apology comes after the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide released its 300-page interim report and 13 initial recommendations on Thursday.

"To people that have felt they have not got the treatment that they deserve ... I apologise for that," Veterans' Affairs Minister Matt Keogh told reporters in Canberra.

"It wasn't under our watch, but as the government of this country, veterans always deserve the best and we should be delivering that."

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said Australians wanted to see veterans treated better, but issues could not be fixed overnight.

"Certainly from my perspective (the coalition) provided every support, not just through increased funding but additional support through services, mental health services and the like," Mr Dutton told reporters in Sydney.

"There is enough blame to share across both sides of politics, but I think this is not an issue about politics ... we should be doing more as a country to provide support to those who defend us and keep us safe."

The commission recommends urgent changes need to be made to Australia's defence personnel support network, and that the backlog of more than 41,000 veterans' claims be cleared by March 2024.

It also recommends the government introduce legislation to parliament to simplify and harmonise veteran compensation and rehabilitation.

Opposition veterans' affairs spokesman Barnaby Joyce said the coalition expects to support the government as much as it can in that process,.

"I don't expect veterans' access to the support they're entitled to to be delayed by unnecessary reasons," he told AAP.

"It's vitally important that this process takes place. I was always a supporter of a royal commission, and it was the coalition that brought it about in government."

Mr Keogh said he didn't have a time frame for when the backlog would be cleared, but he wants it done as soon as possible.

He said the government has allocated 500 additional staff to the department to help process the claims.

"All people who put on a uniform and sign up to serve our nation ... deserve the best support while serving and after they transition to civilian life," Mr Keogh said.

"This is particularly the case when individuals encounter mental and physical injury. This is a commitment that we owe our defence personnel, veterans and their families."

Mr Joyce wants more details on the funding and tasks of the additional staff, and expects the government to provide information in the October budget.

"A number is important, but the process of what they actually do is vital to understand the issue is being addressed," he said.

Mr Joyce also called for the veterans' portfolio to be returned to cabinet.

"Having veterans' affairs languishing in the outer ministry ... does not show proper respect for the importance of the issues in need of reform," he said.

"The government ... must show competency, not just in what needs to be done, but in how it is actually going to do it."

Meanwhile, Mr Keogh said he had confidence in the veterans' affairs department to assist defence personnel as much as possible.

A formal response from the government to the commission will be provided in the coming months.

"We recognise the importance and the significance of this report. It is vital that these (recommendations) are now addressed as a priority," Mr Keogh said.

The royal commission will continue its inquiry, with its final report due by June 2024.

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© AAP 2022

North Queensland have paid tribute to late premiership-winning coach Paul Green, saying he was one of the most influential people in the NRL club's history.

The rugby league world is in shock following the death of 49-year-old Green at his Brisbane home on Thursday morning, with a post mortem examination to be conducted.

A star in his own right as a player, Green played 162 games across five different clubs as a halfback, five-eighth and hooker while also playing seven State of Origins for Queensland.

Green also won the 1995 Rothmans Medal as the league's best and fairest player that year.

But he will forever be remembered as the man who helped guide North Queensland to their maiden premiership in 2015.

In total, he was in charge of the Cowboys in 167 games with the 2015 title coming in just his second season as head coach.

He left the club in 2020 and took over as Queensland's State of Origin coach last year.

When he resigned from that job last September, it appeared certain he would resume his days as an NRL coach.

He was linked to Wests Tigers at the end of last season and was expected to take on a role at the Dolphins next year.

Green's family released a statement on Thursday and said they were devastated with his passing.

"We have lost a devoted husband, loving father and wonderful brother and son," they said.

"We cannot find the words that would come close to expressing our feelings, however we would like to extend our thanks to those who have reached out to us with their love and support.

"Our family is still trying to understand this tragedy and we request space and time as we come to terms with this loss. Thank you."

Green's death will hit the NRL hard.

Beyond those still at North Queensland, he has coached several players across the game who began their careers in Townsville or played for the Maroons last year.

On Thursday night alone, Cameron Munster, Xavier Coates and Viliame Kikau were among those due to take to the field just hours after learning of their former coach's death.

Green was in Sydney only last weekend for the Cronulla ex-players' reunion, a club where he played 95 games before moving north to the Cowboys.

He was also a part of the Sydney Roosters' 2002 premiership-winning squad, before finishing his playing days at Parramatta and Brisbane.

Cowboys chairman Lewis Ramsay paid tribute to Green's decorated history with the club and his pivotal impact.

"Paul first came to our club as a player in the late 90s and was the club's first Origin representative, but his lasting legacy emanated from his seven-season tenure as head coach of the North Queensland Cowboys," he said.

"Paul's arrival as head coach transformed our club from finals contenders to an immediate premiership force, culminating in the historic 2015 grand final victory.

"We will forever remember Paul as one of the greatest contributors in Cowboys history."

Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'landys said his thoughts were with Green's family and friends.

"I had the pleasure of sitting on the NRL Competition Committee and found Paul to be a passionate, smart and witty individual. Our condolences go to his family and to his many friends," V'Landys said.

The Roosters and Broncos also passed on their condolences to Green's family and said they were deeply saddened to hear of his passing.

Green is survived by wife Amanda and children Emerson and Jed.

© AAP 2022

One of the southern hemisphere's largest wind energy zones will be operating sooner after the federal government agreed to foot the bill to connect it to the national grid.

The Commonwealth will cover the $160 million cost of connecting Queensland's Southern Downs Renewable Energy Zone, which includes two major wind farms, to the grid.

Queensland government-owned Powerlink will build and operate 65 kilometres of new overhead transmission lines and two new switching stations.

Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen says the deal will deliver more renewable energy to households and businesses in southern Queensland and the east coast.

"We are delivering on our Powering Australia plan which includes a major boost to renewable energy supplies to help create jobs and reduce emissions across the nation," he said.

"The best way to put downward pressure on energy prices is to ramp up investment in renewables, transmission and storage."

The investment is the first account between the federal Clean Energy Finance Corporation and a Queensland government-owned company.

The Southern Downs zone contains the 102.6MW Karara Wind Farm being built by the state-owned CleanCo and the 1026MW Macintyre Wind Farm being built by Acciona

Queensland Energy Minister Mick de Brenni said the new poles and wire will help establish one of the largest wind energy zones in the southern hemisphere by 2024.

He said it would also help guarantee electricity supply across Australia's three eastern states.

"This project will enable the largest renewable energy zone in the nation," Mr de Brenni told reporters on Thursday.

Mr de Brenni said the renewables projects will put downward pressure on electricity prices.

"We've seen the cost of wholesale electricity across the nation rise to unacceptable levels," he said.

"The best way to reduce electricity costs for businesses and households is to build more renewable energy.

"It also presents another opportunity to build onshore capability and skill Queenslanders for renewable energy jobs of the future."

© AAP 2022