LABOR WELCOMES VETERANS ANNOUNCEMENT

Labor welcomes any announcement that provides greater recognition to veterans and their families including the further funding for Kookaburra Kids Defence Program.

Having served their country, our ex-service personnel and their families deserve our support.

 

Labor wants to see more detail on how the government’s veterans card will deliver for veterans.

 

Questions remain about how much the federal government is actually committing, which companies will actually sign up, what discounts will be available, which veterans are eligible and what responsibilities will the states and territories have over the administration of the card.

 

We want to be sure that a veterans card will deliver tangible benefits to our veterans.

 

However if Scott Morrison was serious about supporting our veterans he wouldn’t have ripped $40 million of funding from veterans critical allied and dental health services for our veterans when he was Treasurer. Senate Estimates confirmed this week that Morrison’s cuts will result in less services for veterans.

 

Labor has already announced a number of policies support our veterans including:

 

·         Committing to signing Australia’s first Military Covenant;

 

·         announced $121 million to a comprehensive Veterans’ Employment Program;

 

·         will develop a Family Engagement and Support Strategy;

 

·         will Establish the Western Front Fellowship;

 

·         established the Senate Inquiry into the use of anti-malarials in the ADF;

 

·         and has called for the Inclusion of Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation in the Banking Royal Commission.

 

Labor is committed to delivering real outcomes for our ex-service personnel, veterans and their families.