SENATOR DON FARRELL SHADOW MINISTER FOR VETERANS’ AFFAIRS SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE CENTENARY OF ANZAC SENATOR FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA THE HON WARREN SNOWDON MP SHADOW PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS SHADOW PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR NORTHERN AUSTRALIA FEDERAL MEMBER FOR LINGIARI MEDIA RELEASE HIDDEN STINGS IN THE TAIL FOR VETERANS AS ABBOTT BUDGET IS UNPACKED “As you can see, these (Budget) changes are insidious because they are complex and easily overlooked. But they matter, as they will seriously erode pensioners’ financial position over time. That the government would do this to its war veterans and war widows is disappointing.” - TIM McCOMBE NATIONAL PRESIDENT VIETNAM VETERANS FEDERATION OF AUSTRALIA, MAY 19, 2014 The devil is in the detail of Tony Abbott’s Budget which continues its shameful erosion of pensions and benefits for Australia’s 280,000 Veterans Affairs pensioners and beneficiaries. First of all, Tony Abbott broke a solemn promise to veterans by planning to slash their pensions in real terms, and increasing their cost of living pressures. He has also cut the Veterans’ Affairs Budget by more than $100 million – down from Labor’s record $12.5 billion in our 2013-2014 Budget. In Darwin visiting veterans’ groups today, Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Senator Don Farrell said hidden items in the budget were now coming to light – and veterans will be put under even greater cost-of-living pressures. “The Coalition will scrap the Seniors Supplement for veterans who hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card or Gold Card which helps them pay for energy costs, telephone, internet, rates, water and sewerage expenses,” Senator Farrell said. In another blow to veterans, military and other un-taxed superannuation income will be counted as income when applying for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card and the goal posts for deeming rate thresholds will be moved, hitting the part-pensions of some veterans with small amounts of assets. Veterans will also suffer reductions in other support measures relating to medical and pharmaceutical benefits and various local and state government concessions. In addition, three months’ backdating of successful Veterans’ Disability Pension claims – previously in place to recognise unique nature of military service – will be axed. The Federal Member for Lingiari Warren Snowdon said this was a shameful way to treat the ex-servicemen and women whose unique contribution has kept this nation safe. “Yet veterans, and those suffering from injuries, who have served our country will have to manage these cost of living hits at the same time as coping with new taxes like the GP Tax and the petrol tax hike,” Mr Snowdon said. In contrast, Labor’s record $12.5 billion in funding included many new measures on mental health, access to medication, better indexing of veterans/compensation and TPI pensions and better support for families. Other Abbott Budget measures which may affect veterans: o Assets Test Deeming Rate Thresholds to be re-set. o Pausing indexation of some Medicare Benefits Schedule fees and the Medicare Levy surcharge o Pausing indexation of some Medicare Benefits Schedule fees and the Medicare Levy surcharge and Private Health Insurance Rebate thresholds. o The Housing Help for Seniors pilot program has been scrapped o Pension assets and income test thresholds frozen from September 2017 (for 3 years). o End to National Partnership on concessions. o Some veterans will be hit by increased cost of medicines (anyone that is not eligible for the ‘Veterans’ Pharmaceutical Reimbursement Scheme’) It’s hypocritical that Tony Abbott and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Michael Ronaldson have stated many times that our veterans deserve to be recognised for their unique contribution to Australia – and yet they brutally strip away support for them. Our veterans shouldn’t have to foot the bill for Tony Abbott’s broken promises and twisted priorities.
Posted on: Wed, 21 May 2014 06:07:39 +0000