Senator Andrew Bartlett  Leader of the Australian Democrats  Spokesperson on Defence and Veterans’ Affairs

14 February 2003             MEDIA RELEASE                           03/082

A few good recommendations, but unlikely to be acted on  Clarke Review of Veterans’ Entitlements

The Australian Democrats have welcomed some of the 109 recommendations of the Clarke Review into  veterans’ entitlements, but have warned that the Government is unlikely to improve veterans’ benefits in  the short term.

Democrats’ Leader and spokesperson on Defence and Veterans’ Affairs, Senator Andrew Bartlett, said  the Democrats have long advocated for recognition of veterans of the British Commonwealth Occupation  Force in Japan, and participants in the British atomic testing program in Australia.

“The Democrats urge the Government to support the recommendations to extend eligibility for health care  benefits, and potentially compensation under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act,” Senator Bartlett said.

The Clarke Review has recommended service with BCOF in Japan up to June 1947 would be considered  war-like, and service with the British atomic tests would be assessed as hazardous.

Senator Bartlett said it was surprising that the Review did not recommend a rise in the rate of veterans’  T&PI and other disability pensions. “A number of other groups including World War Two veterans  without qualifying service, civilian nurses who served in Vietnam, Special Air Service Regiment  personnel seeking improved recognition for the dangers of their training, and POWs in Europe, will also  be disappointed by the Review’s recommendations,” he said.

“The Democrats will examine further the recommended changes in structure for Disability Compensation,  which the Review acknowledges are complex, but we welcome the recommendation that disability  compensation payments should not be assessed as income in any means tests, as they are presently in the  social security system. The Democrats have moved amendments to this effect previously and we urge the  Government to take this issue up as they promised before the 1996 election.

“Unfortunately it is unlikely this Government will make any significant improvements to the  compensation that veterans receive for their military service,” Senator Bartlett said.

The Clarke Review recommendations in total would cost up to $600 million over the first four years.

“All the signs are that the next Budget will throw money at sending young Australians to war but  not on repatriation and compensation when they return.”

Senator Bartlett said that there were ongoing delays in addressing problems and anomalies in veterans’  and defence personnel entitlements. “The Clarke Review was late, we are still waiting for the 1991 Gulf  War Health Study and a new Military Compensation Scheme was promised in 1996.

“The Democrats are concerned that troops are presently being deployed under the same entitlements as  those of the SAS sergeant who was tragically killed while serving in Afghanistan a year ago. The  payment to his widow has been widely recognised as inadequate, yet this has not changed,” Senator  Bartlett said.

Contact Daele Healy on 0419 867 649



http://www.democrats.org.au

