MEDIA RELEASE P.R. NO. 86/017CANBERRA10 FEBRUARY 1986THE SENATE FURTHER CONCESSIONS TO VETERANS IN VETERANS ENTITLEMENT BILL

Amendments to the Federal Government's Veterans Entitlement

Bill will give significant concessions to the veteran

community according to the Australian Democrats.

Democrat Spokesperson for Veterans Affairs, Senator Michael

Macklin, said the Government had agreed to Democrat requests

that allied veterans who fought along side Australians in a

theatre of war, and who are now Australian citizens, would

receive service pensions.

About 3,000 (to 4,000) veterans would receive repatriation

benefits as a result, he said.

Under the Government's original, legislation only allied

veterans up to the Korean War would receive service pensions.

Senator Macklin said this would exclude servicemen who fought

in the Vietnam War.

The Democrats would also urge the Government to retain the

hazardous service clause in the Veterans Entitlement Bill.

This would protect servicement involved in possible Maralinga

style atomic testing in the future.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Senator Michael Macklin (062) 72 7595

