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Election 10 Policy Document Labor’s Plan for Veterans’ Affairs

Labor’s Plan for


Veterans’ Affairs

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Election 10 Policy Document Labor’s Plan for Veterans’ Affairs

Labor’s Plan for Veterans’ Affairs

Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel

ELECTION 2010

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Election 10 Policy Document Labor’s Plan for Veterans’ Affairs

Table of Contents
Labor’s Plan for Veterans’ Affairs

Overview 4

What the Federal Labor Government has achieved so far 6

We have restored the value of compensation and entitlements 6


We have increased programs to heal our veterans both physically and mentally 7
We have extended support for the families of veterans 8
We have empowered the ex-service community 9
We have improved the operation of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs 9
We have recognised the courage and sacrifice of our veterans 10
What a Gillard Labor Government would do next 12

Respond to the Review into Military Compensation Arrangements 12


Military Health Outcomes Program (MilHOP) 12
Reviewing the aged care needs of veterans 13
Making community mental health more ‘ex-service friendly’ 13
Improving the transition management process 13
Pharmaceutical Reimbursement Scheme 13
Washington Interpretive Centre - Vietnam Veterans Education Centre 13
Military Superannuation 14
Review of DVA funded ESO Advocacy and Welfare Services 15
The legacy of war - wounded personnel 15
Ensuring the health of our forces 16
The Coalition’s Record 17

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Election 10 Policy Document Labor’s Plan for Veterans’ Affairs

Overview
There is no greater responsibility for government than the defence of Australia and
Australia’s interests, and with that comes the profound responsibility of caring for those who
have offered the courage, commitment, and sometimes sacrifice that is required to deliver
that protection.

The Australian community is proud of our veterans and ex-service men and women. All those
who choose a career in the armed services are heirs to a great tradition. Those who choose
to serve give a commitment to protect the nation and its interests. We owe it to them to
ensure that their service is recognised, the nation’s gratitude is clear, and that they are
looked after in their times of need.

The 2007 Labor ‘Plan for Veterans’ Affairs’ had a comprehensive package of policies and
proposals for Veterans’ Affairs. Once elected, we moved quickly to act on our commitments.
We have delivered overwhelmingly on our promises, and in many instances we extended
support beyond our election platform.

Disability pensioners and war widows benefited from a range of measures, including a fairer
indexation system for disability pensions. Since 20 March 2008, all veterans’ compensation
pensions have been indexed with reference to both Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Male
Total Average Weekly Earnings (MTAWE). From 20 September 2009, the additional index of
Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index (PBLCI) has also been employed - from the basic
disability pension rate right through to the TPI pension – to ensure payments maintain their
value.

Together with an increase in utilities allowance and telephone allowance, the Government
also delivered a Carer bonus of up to $1600 and a $500 Seniors bonus. Labor passed
legislation extending the Income Support Supplement to younger war widows and widowers
as well as automatically granting the war widows pension to partners of deceased TTI and
Intermediate rate pensioners and bereavement payments for single TPI and Extreme
Disablement Adjustment (EDA) veterans who die in indigent circumstances.

We boosted funding for ex-service organisations, with funding well beyond the initial $5
million election promise.

The Government undertook an inquiry into the flawed support scheme provided to former
F -111 Deseal/Reseal workers by the previous Government and implemented comprehensive
and targeted measures to support those whose health has been affected.

Responding to some of the recommendations of the Clarke review which were ignored by
the previous Government, this Government has ensured service personnel who participated
in the British Nuclear Tests now have the long-overdue recognition and support they
deserve. Submariners who participated in certain special operations have also had the
qualifying nature of that service recognised.

The Federal Labor Government has declared Battle for Australia Day and Merchant Navy Day
as national days of observance.

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Election 10 Policy Document Labor’s Plan for Veterans’ Affairs

We have provided a major new focus on mental health and suicide prevention, guided by the
best professional advice, in both the serving and ex-service community. Ensuring our support
for ADF members past and present better meets their needs is a priority of the Federal Labor
Government. That includes not only their needs and the problems while in service, but also in
transition to civilian life.

We established a Special Claims Unit within the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) to
improve transaction times, significantly reducing processing times for compensation claims.

We established an interdepartmental working group to examine avenues to rationalise the


administrative burden on veterans and ex-service personnel in dealing with various
government agencies after discharge, and make the transition out of the services smoother.

We have undertaken a major review and enhancement of our consultative arrangements


with the ex-service community. We established two peak consultative bodies, the Prime
Ministerial Advisory Council (PMAC) on Ex-Service Matters and the Ex-Service Organisations
(ESO) Round Table. This has greatly improved links between Government and the
community, and provided a better understanding of what is important to the ex-service and
serving communities.

However, more needs to be done. As well as building on what we have achieved, with the
help of the veteran community, we need to do more. There are more opportunities to
provide better, more targeted assistance to veterans and their families, both in uniform and
once they leave the military. We need our services to evolve as the needs of veterans evolve.

For example:

 In 1998, 19 per cent of veterans reported foot and leg problems affecting mobility. By
2006, over 50 per cent did so. Mobility issues make home-based care models much
more critical.

 An ageing veteran community and the volunteer base that the system relies on to
work, as well as the complexity of the legislation mean we need to enhance peer
support network arrangements.

 Today’s soldiers are much more likely to be struck down by an explosive device
detonated from a seemingly invisible source than a bullet fired by a uniformed soldier
on a clearly identifiable battleground. Advances in medical care and body armour are
contributing to more of them surviving their initial injuries. But we must now make
sure they get the help they need when they get home.

Our objective is to give those injured in service the best outcome available— rehabilitation to
return to active service or, if separating from the forces, transition to a quality and healthy
civilian life.

We also need to keep cutting red tape and complexity, making better use of the
opportunities that technology provides, being more responsive to individual needs, and
ensuring fast and fair decisions, with benefits and support delivered in a timely manner.

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Election 10 Policy Document Labor’s Plan for Veterans’ Affairs

What the Federal Labor Government has achieved so far


The 2007 Labor ‘Plan for Veterans’ Affairs was a comprehensive package of policies and
proposals presenting a broad range of initiatives to meet the needs of veterans. Labor has
overwhelmingly met or exceeded the targets that were set. In addition, we have also
implemented further initiatives that are worth in excess of $2 billion to the veteran
community over our first term.

The former Coalition Government refused to index DVA disability pensions with reference to
MTAWE for more than a decade. Only following Federal Labor’s commitments to index TPI
payments at the time of the May 2007 Budget did the Coalition begin to move on this issue,
announcing their decision in September 2007. Legislation was then passed with support
from Labor. These changes came into effect in March 2008.

We have restored the value of compensation and entitlements


Fair indexation for all veterans’ compensation pensions

From 20 March 2008, all veterans’ compensation pensions have been indexed with reference
to both CPI and MTAWE. From 20 September 2009, the additional index of PBLCI has also
been employed to ensure payments maintain their value.

An increase in the Extreme Disablement Adjustment pension

From 20 March 2008, the EDA pension has been increased by $15 per fortnight.

Increased non-economic loss compensation payments

From 20 March 2008, the General Rate table used to assess payment amounts has been
increased by 5 per cent.

Improved indexation of and an increase in the War Widow’s Domestic Allowance

From 20 March 2008, the domestic allowance component of the widow’s pension has also
benefited from the indexation changes outlined above and was increased by $10 per
fortnight.

National Transport Concessions

Millions of Australian seniors will now benefit as a result of the Government investing nearly
$50 million to provide concessions for Seniors Card holders who use public transport services
outside their home state. All States and Territories are now providing concessions to
interstate cardholders.

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Election 10 Policy Document Labor’s Plan for Veterans’ Affairs

Provided extra financial support through ‘Making Ends Meet’

From 20 March 2008, the Utilities Allowance for eligible pensioners was increased to $500
per annum, paid in quarterly instalments. The Seniors Concession Allowance was also
increased and the Telephone Allowance raised to help meet the cost of a home internet
connection. The Secure and Sustainable Pension reforms, which were announced in the
2009-10 Budget, have simplified the complex system of allowances by combining them into a
streamlined and more flexible payment now paid fortnightly from 20 September 2009.

Secure and Sustainable Pension reforms

Over 320,000 service pensioners and war widows are benefiting from pension changes,
valued at more than $1.1 billion, announced in the 2009-10 Budget. New payments
commenced on 20 September 2009. Single service pensioners and war widows now receive
up to $32.49 per week extra, and service pensioners on the couples rate receive up to $10.14
per week extra combined. Those on Disability Pension who also qualify for Service Pension,
Age Pension or Disability Support Pension, including over 80 per cent of TPI pensioners,
receive the increase in line with their financial circumstances.

We have increased programs to heal our veterans both physically and


mentally
Increased funding for the Applied Suicide and Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) program

An additional $1 million was provided for the ASIST program over four years in the 2008-09
Budget.

A comprehensive Australian Defence Force (ADF) mental health ‘Lifecycle’ package

The Department of Defence, in collaboration with the Australian Centre for Post-traumatic
Mental Health (ACPMH) is progressing the first three initiatives of the Lifecycle package,
including the longitudinal study of psychological resilience, resilience building programs and
models for the annual mental health screen.

DVA and ACPMH are progressing the remaining initiatives. The ‘Barriers to Rehabilitation’
project is currently underway and due for completion at the end of September 2010. The
‘Improved Treatment Options for Hard to Engage Clients’, as well as the ‘Transition Mental
Health and Family collaborative (Townsville) pilot’ have been completed.

Improved mental health support

The Independent Study into Suicide in the Ex-service Community and the Review of Mental
Health Care in the ADF and Transition through Discharge, both conducted by Professor David
Dunt were released with the Government response in May 2009. More than $92 million has
been allocated for the implementation of both Reports. Key initiatives such as case
coordinators in DVA are now in place, supporting clients with complex needs, while other
recommendations are still being implemented.

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Election 10 Policy Document Labor’s Plan for Veterans’ Affairs

Extended repeat prescriptions for the chronically ill

Almost 290,000 veterans and war widows with a chronic health condition can now get up to
12 months supply on a single prescription for some medication, reducing the number of
times they need to see a doctor just to obtain prescriptions.

Including young ex-service people with disabilities in the Commonwealth, State and
Territory Disability Agreement

The National Disability Agreement, which commenced on 1 January 2009, includes a


commitment to ensure that younger veterans have access to specialist disability services
where DVA programs are not available to provide the care and support they require.

Improved Community Care and Support for those with Chronic and Complex Conditions

Veterans’ Affairs has begun a new $152.7 million initiative to increase community based
support for those with chronic conditions and complex care needs who are at risk of
unnecessary hospitalisation. The program includes an additional $28 million to expand the
Veterans’ Home Care program to introduce a new service to target older, more frail veterans
who are most at risk. An estimated 17,000 veterans and war widows will benefit from this
initiative.

Providing zero real interest loans for aged care facilities

The Government has been delivering its Zero Real Interest Loans initiative since 17
September 2008, supporting the development and expansion of aged care services. This is
already producing results with new services supported through the low-cost finance provided
under the initiative already providing services to the community. The Government will
extend this initiative, providing a further $300 million in loans, to support the development
of up to 2,500 aged care places.

Improving Veterans’ Health

The first Veterans’ Health Week was held in August 2009 with the theme ‘Physical Activity’.
Around 5,000 members of the veteran community attended 96 health promotion activities
throughout Australia. Veterans’ Health Week 2010 was held in July 2010. This year’s theme
was ‘Nutrition’, with more than 130 events held across the country.

We have extended support for the families of veterans


Extending the Income Support Supplement to widows without dependents

Payment of the supplement to widows without dependents commenced in July 2008. This
involved the abolition of the age restriction on the payment.

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Election 10 Policy Document Labor’s Plan for Veterans’ Affairs

The Vietnam Veterans’ Family Study

The first research project in the Family Study has been completed and released. A
consultative forum to support the Study has been established and an Independent Scientific
Adviser and a Scientific Advisory Committee have been appointed. Individual research
organisations have been contracted to manage the various parts of the Study. Several other
research components will be completed during 2010. The Study is now due to be fully
completed by 2012, 4 years ahead of schedule.

Extending bereavement payments for single TPI and EDA veterans who die without
sufficient assets to pay for a funeral

The extension of bereavement payments for single TPI and EDA veterans who die without
sufficient assets to pay for a funeral commenced on 1 July 2008.

Automatic granting of War Widow’s Pension to widows of TTI and Intermediate Rate
pensioners

The automatic granting of War Widow’s Pension to widows of TTI and Intermediate Rate
pensioners commenced on 1 July 2008.

We have empowered the ex-service community


Increased financial assistance for Ex-Service Organisations

An additional $5 million has been provided, with total funding of $14.9 million to be made
available over 4 years.

A new consultation framework for the ex-service community

The Prime Minister announced the membership of the PMAC in September 2008 and the
inaugural meeting was held in October 2008. The Council has now met 8 times and looked at
a range of issues including the Clarke Review, the F-111 Deseal/Reseal inquiry and the Dunt
report. Other bodies established include the ESO Round Table and a series of issues based
committees to advise both the Repatriation Commission and the Government.

We have improved the operation of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs


Establishing an inter-departmental working group to help deal with multiple agencies

The group has reduced the medical reviews a veteran must undertake to access some
benefits, improved information sharing between Departments to avoid stressful
overpayments, published a handbook for ADF members transitioning out of military service
and commenced trials to simplify access to entitlements. These trials include the use of the
final Defence medical examination to cover the requirements of a liability claim with DVA or
ComSuper. A trial on a single claim form, which allows claimants to lodge a claim under all
three acts the Department administers, has been completed and is currently being evaluated.

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Election 10 Policy Document Labor’s Plan for Veterans’ Affairs

Forming a Special Claims Unit that has cut processing times

The Special Claims Unit was established in December 2007. A comparison of average times
taken to process claims for the financial years 2006-2007 through 2008-2009 shows
reductions of 22.5 per cent in Veterans’ Entitlements Act claims, 35.5 per cent for Safety
Rehabilitation and Compensation Act initial liability claims and 24 per cent for Military
Rehabilitation and Compensation Act initial liability claims.

Revisiting the recommendations of the Clarke Review

The Government revisited the recommendations of the Clarke Review of Veterans’


Entitlements not implemented or agreed by the former Government, with a $36 million
package of reforms. The changes include access for pensions and health care under the
Veterans’ Entitlements Act to former ADF British Nuclear Test participants under the more
generous ‘reasonable hypothesis’ standard of proof. Other measures include reclassifying
the service of personnel on certain submarine special operations from peacetime to
qualifying service. A number of other recommendations were referred to the Review of
Military Compensation Arrangements that is expected to report by the end of the year.

Establishing a DVA hotline to assist ex-service officials

The hotline started taking calls nationally in November 2008. Between 1 November 2008 and
30 July 2010, a total of 4,154 calls have been made to the hotline.

Maintaining a separate and properly funded Department of Veterans’ Affairs

The 2010-11 Veterans’ Affairs Budget provides funding of $12.1 billion, an increase of $1.3
billion on the last year of the former Coalition Government. This includes $6.9 billion for
compensation and income support, and a record $5.2 billion for health and health services.
The Government remains committed to maintaining DVA as a separate, properly funded
Department to meet the needs of our veteran community.

We have recognised the courage and sacrifice of our veterans


Establishing an Independent Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal

The Tribunal was established by the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon Dr
Mike Kelly AM MP, on 23 July 2008. The Government has implemented all of the Tribunal’s
recommendations, including the review into the Long Tan Gallantry Citations, eligibility
criteria for the Australian Defence Medal and recognition of service with 4th Battalion RAR in
Malaysia in 1966-67. Other matters are still being considered by the Tribunal.

Free Australian flags for families of veterans

Following the death of a veteran, their family can now receive an Australian flag at no cost
from their local MP or Senator, to honour that veteran.

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Election 10 Policy Document Labor’s Plan for Veterans’ Affairs

Battle for Australia Day

On 19 June 2008, the Governor-General signed the proclamation for Battle for Australia Day
on the first Wednesday in September each year to pay tribute to the men and women who
served in the defence of Australia in 1942 and 1943.

Merchant Navy Day

On 24 June 2008, the Governor-General signed the proclamation to declare Merchant Navy
Day for 3 September each year, to remember the service and sacrifice of merchant mariners
in times of war.

Implementing Post-Armistice Korean Service Review recommendations

The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon Dr Mike Kelly AM MP, announced
on 6 April 2009 that the Government would start issuing the Australian General Service
Medal – Korea from early 2010 as well as the Returned from Active Service Badge to eligible
ex-servicemen and women. Consistent with the recommendations of the review, those who
completed 30 days in South Korea during the post-Armistice period, from 28 July 1953 to 19
April 1956, will receive the medals. Action has now been taken on all recommendations that
can be implemented.

Declaring the Ballarat Prisoner of War Memorial to be a National Memorial

The Ballarat Prisoner of War Memorial was the first to be declared as a national memorial
under new legislation on 29 September 2008. $160,000 over four years was provided for
maintenance.

$10 million for an Interpretive Trail on the Western Front

Nearly 300,000 Australians who fought on the Western Front will be better commemorated
through enhanced explanation of their contribution. The Government is working with local
authorities at Australian battle sites in France and Belgium to improve local museums,
improve links to regional battlefield trails and establish interpretive facilities at some
significant battlefields.

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What a Gillard Labor Government would do next


The 2010-11 Veterans’ Affairs Budget is the largest ever, providing funding of $12.1 billion,
including $6.9 billion for compensation and income support, and a record $5.2 billion for
health and health services. This is $1.3 billion more that the last Coalition budget. Over the
same period, DVA’s client numbers have decreased from around 440,000 to less than
380,000.

In Federal Labor’s first term of Government, many longstanding grievances were addressed
and important steps have been taken to make the system more responsive to the needs of
veterans. Improved consultative mechanisms and ongoing reforms like the
Interdepartmental Working Group will continue to bring forward new initiatives to make the
administration of the repatriation system more veteran friendly, and more capable of
delivering more timely, professional support and assistance.

But there is more that can and must be done. The program for the next term is to build on
these substantial improvements and take the further steps required to ensure the portfolio
responds to the emerging needs of the military and ex-service communities.

Respond to the Review into Military Compensation Arrangements


Our comprehensive Review of Military Compensation Arrangements is the Federal Labor
Government’s response to a commitment to examine the current military rehabilitation and
compensation system. Due to be completed later this year, it is expected to identify a range
of opportunities to provide better, more targeted assistance to veterans and their families,
both before and after they leave the service. Labor is committed to taking all appropriate
action in response to the review to ensure services and support for veterans and serving
members evolves with their needs.

Military Health Outcomes Program (MilHOP)


MilHOP is the brand name for the Military Health Outcomes Program which consists of three
studies on the Middle East Area of Operations and one study in response to the 2009 Dunt
Review to establish a baseline for mental health prevalence in the ADF. Costing $12 million
over five years, the four MilHOP studies include the Prospective Study, Census Study, the
Health and Wellbeing Study and a Mortality and Cancer Incidence Study. In addition to
personnel who will be deploying as part of current operations in the Middle East in 2010 and
2011, more than 25,000 veterans will be invited to participate in the study.

MilHOP will provide the information and insight needed to support current and future
evidence-based policy development and targeted health programs. These programs will
support ADF members and their families in coping with the impact of operational
deployments when they are deployed, as they return, and into the future.

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Election 10 Policy Document Labor’s Plan for Veterans’ Affairs

Reviewing the aged care needs of veterans


The Government is working with the aged care sector on the Productivity Commission Inquiry
into Australia’s aged care system. This Inquiry will examine how well the mainstream service
system is meeting the needs of specific groups, including veterans, and will report by April
2011. This Inquiry builds on the Federal Labor Government’s reforms to take full policy and
funding responsibility for aged care (except in Western Australia and Victoria) and to create a
national aged care system that provides better support and better care for older Australians.
Over the next four years, the Gillard Labor Government will provide more than $47 billion for
aged and community care.

Making community mental health more ‘ex-service friendly’


A project developed by the Australian Centre for Post-traumatic Mental Health to improve
the training and competency of secondary mental health workers, commenced in 2009 and
will continue nationally until mid 2011. This is in addition to the $145 million spent on
veterans’ mental health annually, including the $92 million over four years committed to
implement the recommendations of the Dunt reports.

Improving the transition management process


A focus of Professor Dunt’s reports was the issues surrounding the transition from the ADF to
civilian life. Professor Dunt made five recommendations about transition procedures and the
Government has accepted all these recommendations. The Federal Labor Government is
committed to continue with the implementation of that report.

Pharmaceutical Reimbursement Scheme


To fulfil the previous election commitment to address the cost of pharmaceuticals for war
caused disabilities, a consultation process was initiated to explore the issues involved and
how the commitment might be met. The public consultation process showed a strong
preference for a single retrospective annual reimbursement to affected veterans, and Labor
will meet that preferred approach.

The annual reimbursement will be calculated on the basis of the gap between prescription
co-payment costs covered by the Pharmaceutical Allowance and co-payment costs for
pharmaceuticals incurred before the safety net is reached. Reimbursement will be based on
individual usage and will apply on a calendar year basis from 2012, with payments occurring
in the following year. Federal Labor has allocated $18.2 million over the period of the
Forward Estimates for this initiative.

Washington Interpretive Centre - Vietnam Veterans Education Centre


Federal Labor will provide $3.3 million for Australian interpretive material at the Vietnam
Veterans Education Center in Washington to ensure that the Australian contribution to the
Vietnam War is included in the Center - the first time any foreign country will have significant
interpretive material at a US memorial. It will be of enormous significance to Australian
veterans and provide a concrete symbol in support of the alliance.

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Military Superannuation
Labor is committed to ensuring that military superannuation properly reflects the unique
character of military service, and our respect for our servicemen and women.

The Federal Labor Government acted to protect the interests of members of the Military
Superannuation and Benefits Scheme (MSBS). The Government increased the age used to
calculate Death and Disability Benefits for MSBS members to align it with the increase of the
compulsory retirement age to 60, delivering greater benefits for members and their families.

Labor also sought to enhance the governance arrangements for military superannuation, but
the Coalition blocked these changes. The changes would have delivered substantial benefits
to members, including better run schemes, without in any way undermining the member’s
benefits or rights.

For ADF members in MSBS, independent actuarial modelling estimated the changes could
have produced better returns - by as much as $20,000 to $50,000 for some members.

A re-elected Labor government will continue to pursue these reforms. Labor recognises that
there are ongoing demands for significant enhancements in military superannuation, and is
committed to continuing consideration of reforms in this area.

On coming into Government, Federal Labor acted on its promise and released the Podger
Review into Military Superannuation Arrangements. Written before the financial crisis, the
Report proposed a change in indexation for some members of the Defence Force Retirement
and Death Benefits (DFRDB) scheme. But the Report also recognised the significant cost of
the proposal, and saw it as a low priority. As part of the consultation process, 103
submissions were received which included submissions from the ex-Service community who
rejected Podger. After consultations on the Report, the Government decided not to follow
the Podger proposals as a way forward for military superannuation.

Labor fulfilled its promise to have an independent review of the indexation methods used to
adjust public sector superannuation. The resulting Matthews Review recommended against
changing current indexation methods, and the Government has accepted this
recommendation.

As responsible economic managers, given the very significant costs involved, Labor believes
that now is not the time for a change in superannuation indexation.

Through a decade of budget surpluses the Howard Government refused to do anything about
military superannuation, other than commission the Podger Report, which it then refused to
release before the 2007 election. Now, in opposition, the Coalition is proposing an unfair
change in indexation, affecting some military superannuation scheme members, but not all
of them. Having failed to make changes when the economic situation was much more
favourable, the Coalition’s current proposals lack both fairness and credibility.

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Review of DVA funded ESO Advocacy and Welfare Services


The current review into advocacy and welfare support is crucial to ensure that ex-service
organisations are able to meet the needs of the veteran community in the years ahead. This
will need to be done in an environment involving a series of challenges including the ageing
of the veteran community as well as the volunteer workforce that is a central part of service
and support delivery. Other challenges include the complexity of the different Acts that are in
place and the emerging issues facing the generation of newer veterans who are now serving.
The Government is committed to make sure the review delivers effective, innovative and
appropriate reforms to build on the excellent work ESOs currently do and will seek to do, in
future.

The legacy of war - wounded personnel


A Gillard Labor Government will introduce a new program of enhanced support and services
for wounded ADF members, the Simpson Program, named after the Gallipoli hero John
Simpson Kirkpatrick. The program will cost $21.2 million over four years. The men and
women of Australia’s Defence Forces face significant danger in the defence of our nation and
our national interests. When they are wounded or suffer illness as a result of their service,
they deserve the best possible care and support.

The program will include protections for wounded personnel returning to Australia to
minimise financial disadvantage, provide housing assistance, develop a comprehensive
training and re-skilling program, and ensure access to specialist rehabilitation. Defence will
also develop new forms of recognition for our wounded personnel.

Federal Labor has introduced a range of programs reflecting international best practice in
providing care for wounded members of the ADF:

 the Regional Casualty Support Officers program, currently being trialled, provides
support for Army members and their families. If successful, Labor will expand this
program to other services;

 a wide range of mental health support programs including comprehensive screening


and a ‘decompression’ program for personnel returning from deployment;

 $83 million to implement improvements in mental health;

 new rehabilitation policies, with more emphasis on retaining injured personnel where
possible, and extending rehabilitation; and

 a new partnership program with the Australian Paralympic Committee, providing


valuable rehabilitation opportunities.

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Ensuring the health of our forces


Federal Labor recognises the significant sacrifices made by members of our Defence Force
and their families in the service of our nation, and is committed to the medical care of our
troops, their health and that of their families.

Federal Labor will examine the results of the ADF Family Healthcare Trial, which provides
access to a range of medical services to ADF families. Over 3,800 ADF dependants are
already registered and benefiting from the trial.

Defence has entered into a strategic health alliance in Queensland with Queensland Health,
the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, the Queensland Health Skills Development Centre
and the University of Queensland. The project has involved embedding a military surgical
team at Brisbane hospital, establishing a high acuity ward for military patients staffed by ADF
personnel, and providing access to a hyperbaric chamber to improve health service delivery
and clinical training opportunities for ADF personnel.

Building on this model, Federal Labor will expand this alliance into a network of strategic
alliances across Australia to deliver state of the art treatment and training opportunities for
ADF personnel. The expanded network of alliances, costing $7.6 million over four years, will
include a focus on tropical and exotic diseases, to ensure the ADF is prepared for deployment
to high risk areas.

Federal Labor is also committed to ensuring ADF personnel have access to the specialist
medical care which is required to provide the best quality care for our troops.

A Gillard Labor Government will extend specialist care in a program costing $12.1 million
over four years, funding a permanent ADF specialist medical capability to meet the
requirements of Defence personnel. These specialists will provide the ADF with the
capability to deploy medical teams at short notice to support global ADF operations.

The cost of these new programs to look after our wounded and the health of ADF personnel
will be absorbed within Defence’s $30 billion annual budget, as the commitments represent
substantially less than a tenth of one per cent of the Defence budget over the forward
estimates. These commitments will be met without an increase in Defence’s appropriation or
any impact on Defence program outcomes.

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The Coalition’s Record


The history of the Coalition Government’s treatment of veterans is a history of grand claims
and poor performance - praising the sacrifice and courage of our armed forces while ignoring
the real needs of those who have to live with the consequences of their service. Misleading
statistics were used to claim that our veterans had never been better off, but they don’t tell
the real story at all….

Gold Card Funding


The former Coalition Government told veterans that they had never had it so good, with
world-class repatriation and mental health systems. And yet, they chronically under-funded
the Gold Card until 388 specialists wrote to the Department indicating they might withdraw
their treatment for veterans. Over a decade of the former Coalition Government, other than
an increase for anaesthetists in 2005, there had been no adjustment of fee scales for any
medical specialists at all. Only when the system was in crisis did the Howard Government
act.

Federal Labor has been constantly reviewing the services available under the Gold Card to
ensure that veterans are getting the best treatment, including emerging treatments such as
robotic prostatectomy.

The Saga of the Clarke Review


The Howard Government consistently ignored and failed to properly consult with the ex-
service community. It refused to act on a number of recommendations from its own
independent reviews - most importantly the Clarke Review.

As a result of pressure by the veterans’ community, the former Coalition Government


commissioned the Clarke Review into Veterans’ Entitlements before the 2001 election. In
January 2003 the Report was delivered, making 109 recommendations. More than a year
later, the Coalition finally responded, agreeing to only five recommendations that called for
any change.

Following a public furore over the proposed response, a backbench revolt led to a slightly
revised package released In March 2004. Of the 109 recommendations:

 all 46 recommendations that no change be made were accepted by the government;

 of the 58 recommendations proposing change, only 8 were accepted; and

 the other 5 recommendations were for further review

Labor has revisited the un-actioned Clarke review recommendations and provided further
benefits and recognition to a number of veteran groups, including nuclear test participants
and submariners involved in covert operations.

17 www.alp.org.au
Election 10 Policy Document Labor’s Plan for Veterans’ Affairs

Former F-111 Deseal/Reseal workers


In the lead up to the 2007 election, ex-service organisations raised unanswered concerns
about the health and compensation of F-111 Deseal/Reseal workers, asking for a
parliamentary inquiry to examine the issues. Although the former Coalition Government
refused an inquiry, Labor committed to hold an inquiry which has now taken place.

The inquiry report into F-111 Deseal/Reseal workers and their families was tabled in
Parliament on 25 June 2009. The report made 18 recommendations to Government. As part
of the 2010-11 Budget, the Government accepted 14 of the Inquiry’s recommendations.
Some recommendations were accepted in modified form, one partially accepted, and some
accepted with enhancements. Labor provided $55 million over four years to expand the
benefits and services available to an estimated 2,400 additional workers.

Military Superannuation
Through a decade of budget surpluses the Howard Government refused to do anything about
military superannuation, other than call for a report which it then refused to release in the
months before the 2007 election. Now, in opposition, the Liberals are saying they will
change the indexation system for some military superannuation scheme members, but
they’ve excluded nearly 80 per cent of those affected, including all MSBS members and
DFRDB members under 55 years of age. If they refused to do it when the economic situation
was much more favourable, how can anyone really expect them to do it in the aftermath of
the Global Financial Crisis?

Mismanagement of the department


The Coalition Government presided over blow-outs in claims processing times during its 11
years in office. In February 2007, there were 4,570 overdue claims and claims processing
times had blown out by up to 400 per cent in some cases. Despite admitting that they had
known about the increasing problem with claims processing for nearly five years the Liberal
Government forced DVA to cut 12.5 per cent of staff allocated to compensation claims over
their last two financial years.

Tony Abbott now says he will partly pay for his policy initiatives by freezing public service
recruitment for two years. This could seriously impact DVA’s capacity to provide the support
needed for the veteran community.

The Liberal Government made no real progress on streamlining or reducing the difficulties
faced by veterans, ex service personnel and their families in obtaining entitlements,
compensation or income support. These agencies include DVA, Centrelink, the Defence
Force's Retirement and Death Benefits Authority, Comsuper and Defence.

18 www.alp.org.au
Election 10 Policy Document Labor’s Plan for Veterans’ Affairs

Suicide in the Ex-Service Community and Mental Health


Despite requests from ex-service representatives for an inquiry into suicide in the ex-service
community, the Howard Government never acted. Only when Labor was elected was
Professor David Dunt commissioned to conduct this review in concert with the review into
mental health services in the ADF. These reviews were the catalyst for more than $92 million
to be committed across DVA and Defence to improve mental health services for our serving
personnel and our veterans.

The Coalition’s record on Veterans’ issues can be summed up as a decade of inaction, reviews
that were dismissed unless they recommended no changes, longstanding grievances ignored,
and action only taken when they had no alternative but to act.

19 www.alp.org.au

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