The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
VA062
Tuesday 1 July 2008
GOVERNMENT DELIVERS ON ELECTION PROMISES TO VETERANS
A number of key election commitments will take effect from today, delivering improved
entitlements to around 310,000 of Australia’s veterans and their dependants.
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, said the legislative changes demonstrated the
Government was serious about implementing its election commitments to veterans and their
families.
The measures deliver a number of increased payments to veterans, war widows, widowers and
their dependents.
As a result of legislation that has recently passed the Parliament, the Government will now:
Automatically grant war widows pensions to those surviving partners of temporary special
rate or intermediate rate pensioners;
Provide the income support supplement of up to $163.20 a fortnight to eligible war
widows and widowers who are under 58 years old; and
Make bereavement payments to single recipients of the special rate and extreme
disablement adjustment disability pensions who die in indigent circumstances.
Two-hundred-and-seventy-thousand veterans are also about to receive the second quarterly
instalment of increased Utilities Allowance, worth $125 per family. In addition 41,000 (mainly
war widows) are about to be paid the second instalment of Senior Concession Allowance of
$125.
Seventy-six thousand eligible veterans and carers will also benefit from an increase in the
telephone allowance from $88 to $132 annually to help meet the cost of an internet connection.
Other initiatives that were part of the 2008-09 budget, and were paid in the last week, include a
$500 bonus to 310,000 eligible veterans and bonuses of between $600 and $1000 to 17,000
carers.
These amounts are in addition to the fairer indexation system and the 5 per cent increase to the
base of all pensions at the General Rate that was implemented in March 2008.
“These changes are a result of the Government taking action to meet veterans’ concerns and
delivering on our commitments,” Mr Griffin said.
Mr Griffin said the Government would continue to consult with the ex-service community to
deliver fair outcomes that improved the lives of veterans and their dependants.
Media inquiries: Laura Ryan 0437 863 109
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