Source : the age
The Albanese government has abandoned a controversial plan to introduce a $5000 threshold for veterans’ allied health treatment after a fierce campaign from the veteran community.
Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh said in a statement on Thursday morning he had listened to veterans’ concerns and was taking the threshold “off the table”. The decision comes as the government also faces pressure to deliver on the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
The proposed measure, announced in May’s budget, would have replaced the current system requiring veterans to return to a GP for a new referral after every 12 allied health visits. Instead, veterans would have had their care reviewed once treatment costs reached $5000.
“We have heard from veterans there are concerns about this approach,” Keogh said. “We have been listening carefully and today, the government is taking the proposed $5000 threshold off the table.”
The move had been weaponised by the Coalition and independent senator Jacqui Lambie who had attacked the move and rallied community support for the government to axe the measure.
Keogh said the government would proceed with a separate plan to increase allied health fees paid by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, which he says would be the biggest increase in 20 years.
He had previously argued the changes would reduce administrative burdens for about 90 per cent of veterans, allied health practitioners and GPs.
Keogh said he would now consult veterans and health providers on other ways to improve wellbeing outcomes while maintaining the integrity of the system.
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said the “back down” had taken too long.
“These are people who have served our country with distinction, and they need to be treated with respect by this government,” Taylor told reporters prior to Keogh’s official announcement.
“This is a minister who is not up to the job. It has taken too long to scrap this cap, it should never have happened, and frankly, it’s time for this minister to go.”
Former SAS captain and opposition industry spokesman Andrew Hastie reiterated his call for Keogh to step down on Thursday.
“Putting a cap on allied healthcare was ridiculous, given the largess of the Albanese government’s spending in other areas, whether it’s the net zero energy targets they’re chasing, or the bailouts of a lot of our sovereign capability,” Hastie said.
“I think it [the backdown] is a huge win for veterans. They should be proud of their advocacy, particularly the ones who came to Canberra and gave voice to thousands of other veterans around the country who didn’t have a voice.”
More to come
If you are a current or former ADF member or a relative and need support, contact the Defence All-Hours Support Line on 1800 628 036 or Open Arms on 1800 011 046. Other support lines include Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 and the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511.
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Rob Harris is the national correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age based in Canberra. He is a former Europe correspondent.Connect via email.
Nick Newling is a federal politics reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect via X or email.
