MEDIA RELEASE
15 February 2018
DELIVERING BETTER SERVICES
FOR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES
VETERANS and
their families are set to benefit with Minister
for Veterans’ Affairs Michael McCormack
introducing the Veterans’ Affairs Legislation
Amendment (Veteran-Centric Reforms No. 1) Bill
2018 (VCR Bill) to implement several new
initiatives which will deliver better services
to veterans and their families.
“This Bill will
create a new veteran payment to assist
financially vulnerable veterans who have lodged
a compensation claim for a mental health
condition and are unable to work while their
claim is being determined,” Mr McCormack said.
“The
determination of Qualifying Service will also be
automated, removing the requirement for a
veteran to make an application for the
determination. This is a key part of a broader
improvement strategy to ease the transition
process for veterans, putting veterans and their
needs at the forefront.
“We will also
invest an additional $7.1 million so we can
deliver support services for veterans and their
families through increased access to childcare,
home care and counselling.”
Mr McCormack said
partners of veterans may be eligible for the
veteran payment and veterans with dependent
children may be entitled to the maximum rates of
Family Tax Benefit Part A without being subject
to the Family Tax Benefit means test while they
receive the veteran payment.
“Australian
Defence Force members who served in Japan after
the cessation of hostilities at the end of World
War II and before the formation of the British
Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) will be
entitled to receive a Gold Card,” Mr McCormack
said.
“Veterans and
their families are at the heart of communities
around Australia — they have supported us and
this Government is committed to ensuring they
receive and have access to support services they
need.
“Family plays
an essential role in a veteran’s health and
wellbeing and this Bill will ensure vital
services such as income support and health care
help veterans and their families transitioning
into civilian life.”
Other measures
in the Bill include a new pilot program to
provide improved mental health support to
veterans in remote and regional areas of
Australia.
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Whil Prendergast: 0427 672 815
DVA Media: 02 6289 6466
Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling
Service (VVCS) can be reached 24 hours a day
across Australia for support and free and
confidential counselling. Phone 1800 011 046
(international: +61 8 8241 4546). VVCS is a
service founded by Vietnam veterans.