MEDIA RELEASE
22 March 2018
DELIVERING BETTER SERVICES
FOR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES
VETERANS and their families will receive
increased support services and income support
payments after the Senate passed new legislation
today.
The legislation follows a $31 million boost to
mental health services which was announced late
last year.
Minister for Veterans' Affairs Darren Chester
said the legislation was part of the Turnbull
Government's ongoing commitment to improve
services for veterans and their families and
delivers a significant part of the Government’s
response to the concerns raised in the Senate
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Reference’s
committee report.
"We are constantly striving to deliver the
support and services needed for those who have
served our nation," Mr Chester said.
“This is a great outcome for veterans and their
families who play such an essential role in a
veteran’s health and wellbeing with additional
services to be provided under these new measures
which include increased access to childcare
assistance, home care and counselling.
“We have also established a new income support
payment for veterans with mental health problems
who are unable to work so they have a source of
income. This will reduce the stress this places
on both the veteran and their family in what can
be a difficult time.
“Partners of veterans may also be eligible for
the Veteran Payment and veterans with dependent
children may be entitled to the maximum rate of
Family Tax Benefit Part A without being subject
to the Family Tax Benefit means test while they
receive the Veteran Payment.”
Mr
Chester said from 1 May 2018 a new pilot
program, the Coordinated Veteran Care mental
health pilot will commence which aims to support
to veterans in rural and regional areas with
chronic mental health at the mild to chronic
status combined with co-morbid health
conditions.
“Veterans are at the heart of many communities
around Australia and it is essential they have
access to these services no matter where they
live and this a great initiative to ensure vital
mental health services are delivered,” Mr
Chester said.
“Veterans who have suffered a catastrophic
injury will also be supported with access to
household and attendant care services based on
their individual needs.”
Mr
Chester said the qualifying service
determination has also been simplified by
automating the process which will remove the
requirement for veterans to make an application
for the determination.
“There are also a range of other initiatives
underway which will further deliver on our
commitment to support our veterans who have
given so much to our country and this Government
is ensuring they receive and have access to
support services they need now and into the
future.”
Other measures in the legislation include an
entitlement to a Gold Card for Australian
Defence Force members who served in Japan after
the cessation of hostilities at the end of World
War II and before the British Commonwealth
Occupation Force commenced.
Separate to this legislation, Mr Chester said
anyone who has served one day in the Australian
Defence Force can have mental health treatment
free for any mental health condition.
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.