Coalition MPs and Senators will today have to decide whether they will support children of ADF veterans or back Tony Abbott’s callous cuts to their assistance.

 

Labor will today bring on debate in the House of Representatives and the Senate on the Abbott Government’s cuts to the payments of children of ADF veterans who have been killed or injured.

 

Coalition MPs should be standing up to Tony Abbott on behalf for the children of war veterans, not voting to cut their payments.

 

Under the Abbott Government, veteran’s children who receive assistance under the Veterans’ Children Education Scheme (VCES) and Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme 2004 (MRCAETS) will have an annual payment of $215.60 cut under the Government’s legislation to remove the Income Support Bonus.

 

Only around 1,200 children of veterans receive this modest assistance under these programs.

 

Tony Abbott says the Government can’t afford the $250,000 it would cost to ensure the children of war veterans receive this modest assistance, despite the fact that the cost of this payment is less than providing his PPL scheme to just four high income earners.

Veterans’ representatives have slammed the Prime Minister’s cuts –

The NSW President of the RSL, Don Rowe, said he was “absolutely disgusted” with the government’s “mean-spirited” decision.

Legacy Australia said:

 

Legacy would be disappointed if any of the welfare payments are cut to the families of deceased or incapacitated veterans.

It is time for Tony Abbott to get his priorities right, swallow his pride and stop these cruel and callous cuts.

Why is the Abbott Government happy to proceed with a $5.5 billion paid parental leave scheme for high income earners but can’t find $250,000 for the kids of war veterans?

 

The families of our veterans deserve better than this – it’s time the Abbott Government dropped its plans to cut their support.

 

Labor opposes the Abbott Government’s cuts to the Income Support Bonus, which helps 1 million people on a low income struggling to make ends meet.

TUESDAY, 25 MARCH 2014

MEDIA CONTACT: LEADER’S OFFICE MEDIA UNIT 02 6277 4053
                             JOAN ATKINSON 0422 916 496