FEDERAL BUDGET PROVIDES JOY FOR VETERAN COMMUNITY BUT MORE REMAINS TO BE DONE
The Federal Budget, handed down by Treasurer Dr Jim Chalmers MP on May 9 contained a number of important support measures for Australia’s veterans and their families, but much still remains to be done to improve the lives of those who have served our nation.
The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) made a detailed pre-budget submission to the Government which included calls for funding to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, the strengthening of the advocacy system to better enable veterans to navigate the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) claims process, and for a review and uplift of DVA remuneration for healthcare providers.
In response, the Treasurer announced a commitment of some $328 million for DVA to support veterans and their families in 2023-24. While the sought-after funding for the implementation of all recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide is primarily focused on action to reduce the DVA claims backlog, the apparent move to more demand-driven funding is welcomed. The latest allocation to reduce DVA claims builds on more generous funding announced in the October 2022 Budget, as does the funding to support the harmonisation of veterans’ entitlements legislation.
Although not included in this Budget, the Royal Commission announced on 8 May that a separate process is being undertaken with Treasury to explore funding for implementation of its recommendations. The Royal Commission has signalled that this will likely include consultation about the scope and functions of an implementation body. This is a significant and positive step forward in the Royal Commission process and the RSL stands ready to engage and help others take part in the consultation once formally open.
With the public-facing work of the Royal Commission ending later this year there are opportunities for the RSL and the ex-service organisation community to shape the final report and recommendations. Our continued advocacy for the Government to implement all recommendations will be sustained. The RSL has long called for the forthcoming consultation on the implementation body, with the establishment of an independent body led by a National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Wellbeing the focus of our advocacy on this issue.
Given the Treasurer’s pre-budget commentary and the Government’s response to the recent Defence Strategic Review, it is not surprising that the Budget did not include any other headline items specific to veterans and their families.
However, initiatives to provide cost-of-living relief and strengthen Medicare are provisions will benefit veterans and their families. These measures, from the enhancement of Medicare to subsidising energy bills and increasing rent assistance will support vulnerable Australians across the country, including many in the veteran community.
The RSL welcomes the investment to strengthen Medicare and increase access to primary healthcare and hopes that this will increase access for veterans seeking appointments with GPs. The Budget included $3.5 billion over five years to help stop the decline in bulk billing. This is intended to triple the Medicare bulkbilling incentive for most common consultations with children under the age of 16, pensioners and other concession card holders to increase their access to primary healthcare. It also includes $33.3 million for DVA over four years towards the Supporting Bulk Billing in General Practice Veterans’ Access Payment (VAP). This measure triples the current bulk billing incentive and the corresponding Veterans’ Access Payment for certain GP attendances, from November 1, 2023. The increased VAP payment will also apply for some tele-health services, for veterans registered with MyMedicare. For Veteran Card holders, this means that the amount paid to their GP for some of the most common attendances will rise.
To put the need for increased support for veterans and their families into context, data from the 2021 Census identified that 581,000 people living in Australia has served or were currently serving in the Australian Defence Force (ADF). One in 20 Australian households include at least one person who has served or is currently serving in the Australian Defence Force.
The RSL will continue to advocate for measures not included in the Budget including the extension of non-liability health care to all reservists, the harmonisation of funeral benefits for veterans, funding to enhance our Advocacy Training and Development Program and further initiatives to reduce administration for healthcare providers treating veterans.
The RSL has developed a summary of the Budget measures relating to veterans including how the budget accounts for implementing the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
The report's final page summarises what RSL has been lobbying for vs the budget response.
We will continue to work tirelessly with the Federal Government to ensure our members are supported by practical services and demand-driven programs and funding.
