AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT INCREASES BENEFITS FOR VC WINNERS

The Veterans’ Entitlements Amendment (Direct Deductions and Other Measures) Bill 2004 introduced yesterday in Federal Parliament would expand options and support for disabled veterans, war widows and veterans’ partners, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Danna Vale said.

Mrs Vale said this would include an increase to the special allowance paid to Australia’s two surviving Victoria Cross recipients.

“This legislation will benefit the surviving Australians who have been awarded the Victoria Cross – World War II veteran Ted Kenna and Vietnam veteran Keith Payne,” Mrs Vale said.

“Both are eligible for the Victoria Cross Allowance, currently set at $2808 per year. Under these amendments, the allowance will be increased by 15 per cent to $3230 per year and will be subject to annual indexation in line with movements in the Consumer Price Index.

“This reflects changes in the allowance provided to British VC recipients by the British Government and recognises the special place held by Australia’s Victoria Cross winners.”

The Minister said other measures in the Bill would extend current direct deduction arrangements to include recipients of the veteran disability pension and war widow’s pension.

Such arrangements were already available to service pensioners, allowing them to organise regular payments such as rent to State Housing Authorities.

“We also will assist veterans’ partners who receive the social security age pension or wife pension through the Department of Veterans' Affairs, by providing them with automatic eligibility for the war widow’s income support supplement if their partner’s death is related to their wartime service.

“This will end the need for widows/widowers in such circumstances to lodge a formal claim, removing an administrative burden for those coming to terms with the loss of their partner.

“In a further measure of support for veterans’ partners, the Bill will extend eligibility for the partner service pension to certain partners who are resident in Norfolk Island.

“This Bill continues this Government’s commitment to improving the repatriation system and ensuring the needs of veterans and their families continue to be met,” Mrs Vale said.