Defence Minister Matt Keogh disputes accusations that he showed an eye roll and refused to engage with veterans who are pleading for improved healthcare funding. Keogh says he initially declined to meet the group of former defence personnel but acknowledges that was a mistake.
Keogh also denies claims that he refused to shake the veterans’ hands during the interaction. The outlets report the same core account: the veterans seek additional healthcare support, while the minister responds that any early decision not to meet them was an error, not an attempt to dismiss them. Across the coverage, the focus is on conflicting interpretations of his conduct and his explanation for how the meeting unfolded.
