VETERANS WIN AS LABOR SCRAPS LABOR’S ALLIED HEALTH CAP

Veterans across Dawson have won a major victory, with the Labor Government forced to scrap its proposed $5,000 cap on allied health services after months of pressure from veterans, their families and the Coalition.

Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox MP, said he was proud to have stood alongside veterans across his electorate and fought against a policy that should never have been proposed in the first place.

“This is a win for our veterans,” Mr Willcox said.

“From the moment this was handed down in the Budget, I have been extremely vocal about it.

“I have spoken to hundreds of veterans across Dawson, from Mackay to Townsville, and I have heard firsthand the worry this proposal created.

“The message from veterans was simple... this cap should never have happened.

“Today, the Government has finally listened.

“This is a win for every veteran who contacted me, whether you came up to me at an event, spoke to me at a Politics in the Pub, visited one of my pop-up mobile offices, picked up the phone or sent me an email.

“Your voices were heard.

“I also want to thank Mackay RSL for the advice and advocacy they have provided throughout this campaign.

“Veterans should not have to fight their own Government to access the healthcare they need.”

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said the Government had taken too long to reverse the policy.

“This is a victory for veterans, their families and everyone who stood alongside them and refused to give up,” Mr Taylor said.

“Our veterans have served our country and sacrificed for our way of life. They should never have had to fight their own government for the health care they need.”

Nationals Leader Matt Canavan said the proposed cap should never have been put forward.

“I want to thank the veterans of Australia who have fought so hard on this crucial issue,” Senator Canavan said.

Mr Willcox said the proposed cap was just the latest in a series of decisions that had left veterans in Dawson questioning whether the Government had their backs.

“My electorate has a large veteran community, stretching from Mackay through to the garrison city of Townsville, and I am incredibly proud to represent them.

“But this Labor Government’s record on veterans has been nothing short of disgusting.

“We saw The Oasis in Townsville close its doors after it lost federal funding, leaving a major gap in support for veterans and their families in one of Australia’s largest garrison cities.”

“In Mackay, our RSL still cannot get the veterans’ home and wellness centre that our veteran community so desperately needs.

“I pledged $5 million to support the Mackay RSL when I was first elected, if myself and a Coalition government was elected. I pledged it again when I was re-elected, and if I am re-elected for a third term, a Coalition government and I will support the RSL again.

“That is what standing with our veterans looks like.”

Mr Willcox said the Government’s decision to scrap the cap was welcome, but the Minister still had questions to answer.

“The next step is for this Minister to stand down.

“The worry and uncertainty this proposal placed on our veteran community was unacceptable.

“It should never have happened.

“You cannot spend months telling veterans that a $5,000 threshold is going to be imposed on their allied healthcare, have veterans travel to Canberra to fight against it, and then simply walk away when the Government is forced to back down.

“Our veterans deserved better from the beginning.”

Mr Willcox said he would continue fighting against measures in the Budget that he believed would hurt Australians.

“We have won this fight, but there is more work to do.

“Next, we are coming after the Government’s decision to cut the additional private health insurance rebate for Australians aged 65 and over.

“That is another unacceptable measure from this Budget, and I will keep fighting it just as hard.

“To every veteran who contacted me on this issue, thank you.

“You spoke up, you kept the pressure on and you made sure your concerns could not be ignored.

“This is a win for you.

“You served our country, and I will continue to serve you.”

ENDS

CAPTION

Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox MP met with veterans at Parliament House who travelled to Canberra to call on the Labor Government to scrap its proposed $5,000 cap on DVA allied health care.

Contact: Amanda Wright | Media & Communications Adviser
P | 07 4944 0662   M | 0455 456 705   E | Amanda.Wright@aph.gov.au