Budget Overview – Enhancing support for our veterans

Response to the Clarke Review

Reflecting its commitment to veterans, the Government responded to the Clarke review of veterans’ entitlements in March 2004 with a $289 million package (over five years) to provide extra assistance to veterans and their families. Measures include:

around 19,000 disability pensioners and their partners who also receive income support payments will receive the Defence Force Income Support Allowance from 20 September 2004. This will average an extra $40 per fortnight
indexation arrangements for the above general rate component of disability pension will be made more generous from 20 March 2004, benefiting around 45,000 veterans
around 11,500 war widows/widowers will benefit from payment of rent assistance in addition to the income support supplement, worth up to an extra $95.40 per fortnight, from 1 January 2005

an ex-gratia payment of $25,000 will be made to all surviving prisoners of war held captive during the Korean War (or their widows/widowers) who were alive on 1 July 2003

the maximum funeral benefit is also being increased from $572 to $1,000 on 1 July 2004.

Veterans’ health

Funding of $158 million over four years will ensure veterans retain access to medical specialists. This will be achieved through making higher payments to specialists for treating veterans.

Commemorations and memorials

Fostering recognition by the community of the contribution of those who have served is important. The Government will provide $36 million to facilitate redeveloping the Australian War Memorial’s Post-1945 Galleries, repair war graves, and support other commemorative activities.