The Abbott Government is unashamedly using the children of war veterans as political pawns in a cynical move to secure Clive Palmer’s support in the Senate.
A month ago, Tony Abbott was cruelly determined to scrap the modest $215.60 annual Income Support Bonus payment to children of soldiers killed or badly injured in service – among them orphans and homeless teens.
Mr Abbott made it crystal clear in his answer to Questions in Parliament from the Opposition that he would keep his “callous and hard-hearted” commitment to cut the payment to the children of war veterans.
What sort of twisted priorities does Tony Abbott have if he’s having a cynical re-think on scrapping the payments only because his government needs Clive Palmer’s support in the Senate?
And not because he cares about the welfare of the children of veterans, who have paid a high price for their country, even the ultimate price.
In Question Time earlier this year, Tony Abbott was unapologetic for his Government’s scrapping of financial assistance to about 1200 children of veterans so he could “keep their commitments”.
“We said that this particular bonus would go. It is true that some veterans and their families receive this bonus. They knew before the election that this bonus would go. Veterans, like everyone else, understand that governments have to keep their commitments.”
Tony Abbott – House of Representatives – 17 March 2014
This modest assistance costs the Government around $260,000 annually compared with Tony Abbott’s extravagant $5.5 billion paid parental leave scheme for high income earners.
Twisted priorities see the Abbott Government put political point scoring and funding high-income earners to the tune of $75,000 a year to have a baby ahead of the $215.60 a year for the children of our war veterans.
This move was condemned by the NSW RSL, The Defence Force Welfare Association and Legacy.
WEDNESDAY, 23 APRIL 2014
MEDIA CONTACT: LEADERS OFFICE MEDIA UNIT 02 6277 4053
JOAN ATKINSON 0422 916 496 (FARRELL)
