NEW HOPE FOR CHILDREN OF WAR VETERANS

MEDIA RELEASE

Bill Shorten MP. 

Opposition Leader

Prime Minister Tony Abbott may be forced to reverse his callous cuts to the payments of children of ADF veterans who have been killed or injured with Labor and minor parties uniting to oppose the changes.
It is time for Tony Abbott to swallow his pride and stop these cruel and callous cuts. Providing this modest assistance should not be too much for this Prime Minister.
The Government is now reportedly negotiating with Clive Palmer who has vowed to oppose MRRT repeal legislation in the Senate if the children of war veterans have their payments cut.
Veterans’ representatives have slammed the Prime Minister’s cuts –
The NSW President of the RSL, Don Rowe, said he was “absolutely disgusted” with the government’s “mean-spirited” decision.
Legacy Australia said:

Legacy would be disappointed if any of the welfare payments are cut to the families of deceased or incapacitated veterans.

Dave Spillman, President of the Kwinana Branch of the RSL in WA said:

We’re shocked the Prime Minister would cut something that helps the kids of RSL members like this. 

When Western Australians fight for Australia, get injured for Australia and die for Australia, we don’t think it’s too much to ask for their kids to get a helping hand. 

The armed services are important in Western Australia and the Prime Minister should remember that. 

We call on Prime Minister Abbott to reverse this decision. 

Under the Abbott Government, veteran’s children who receive assistance under the Veterans’ Children Education Scheme (VCES) and Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme 2004 (MRCAETS) will have an annual payment of $211.20 cut under the Government’s legislation to remove the Income Support Bonus.

Only around 1,200 children of veterans receive this modest assistance under these programs.

Tony Abbott says the Government can’t afford the $250,000 it would cost to ensure the children of war veterans receive this modest assistance.

The cost of providing his PPL scheme to just four high income earners is greater than the cost of restoring this support to 1,200 children of war veterans.

Where is this Government’s priorities?

The families of our veterans deserve respect and gratitude.  Taking away their modest payments is incredibly insulting.


Labor opposes the Abbott Government’s cuts to the Income Support Bonus, which helps 1 million people on a low income struggling to make ends meet.