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Election 10 Policy Document 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
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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.
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
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.
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.
From 20 March 2008, the EDA pension has been increased by $15 per fortnight.
From 20 March 2008, the General Rate table used to assess payment amounts has been
increased by 5 per cent.
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.
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
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.
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.
An additional $1 million was provided for the ASIST program over four years in the 2008-09
Budget.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
An additional $5 million has been provided, with total funding of $14.9 million to be made
available over 4 years.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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Election 10 Policy Document Labor’s Plan for Veterans’ Affairs
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.
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
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.
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Election 10 Policy Document Labor’s Plan for Veterans’ Affairs
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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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;
new rehabilitation policies, with more emphasis on retaining injured personnel where
possible, and extending rehabilitation; and
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Election 10 Policy Document Labor’s Plan for Veterans’ Affairs
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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Election 10 Policy Document Labor’s Plan for Veterans’ Affairs
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.
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:
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.
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Election 10 Policy Document Labor’s Plan for Veterans’ Affairs
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?
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.
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Election 10 Policy Document Labor’s Plan for Veterans’ Affairs
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.
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