Veterans’ Affairs

Australian ex-prisoners of war memorial in Ballarat

Expense ($m)

	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Department of Veterans’ Affairs	-	-	-	-

The Government will provide $300,000 in 2004-05 to the Ballarat City Council for its business plan to complete infrastructure and enhancements of the Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial in Ballarat, Victoria. This funding is in addition to the funding provided for the construction of the memorial of $50,000 in 1999-00 and $150,000 in 2001-02.

This measure was announced by the Treasurer on 7 October 2004.

Bereavement payment for above general rate disability pensioners — additional funding

Expense ($m)

	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Department of Veterans’ Affairs	4.1	4.3	4.5	4.4

The Government will provide $19.2 million over five years (including $1.9 million in 2004-05) to increase the bereavement payment to surviving partners of Above General Rate Disability Pensioners.

The bereavement payment for eligible dependants of those in receipt of the Above General Rate of Disability Pension will equal the total pension received by a veteran at the time of their death and will be paid to the surviving partner for a period of twelve weeks. This measure is expected to increase the bereavement payments for up to 2,500 surviving partners each year.

This measure was announced on 4 October 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Saluting Their Service.

Commemoration programme — additional funding for significant anniversaries in 2005

Expense ($m)

	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Department of Veterans’ Affairs	1.4	-	-	-

The Government will provide an additional $7.8 million (including $6.4 million in 2004-05) to commemorate a number of significant wartime anniversaries occurring in 2005-06, including the ninetieth anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli, the sixtieth anniversary of Victory in Europe, Victory in the Pacific and significant campaigns in Papua New Guinea and Borneo.

The Government will work with the ex-service community to ensure that the commemorative program is appropriate and honours the service and sacrifice of veterans and their families.

This measure was announced on 4 October 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Saluting Their Service.

Ex-Service organisations — additional funding to explain the new Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Scheme

Expense ($m)

	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Department of Veterans’ Affairs	2.3	2.3	2.3	-

The Government will provide $9.2 million over four years (including $2.3 million in 2004-05) to ex‑service organisations to assist them to explain to veterans and Defence personnel the services and benefits offered by the new Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Scheme, introduced in 2004. This service will be provided through the existing Building Excellence in Support and Training and the Training and Information programmes.

This measure was announced on 4 October 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Saluting Their Service.

National Peacekeepers’ Memorial

Expense ($m)

	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Department of Veterans’ Affairs	0.2	-	-	-

The Government will provide $200,000 in 2005-06 to develop a National Peacekeepers’ Memorial in Canberra in honour of those Australians who have served on peace keeping operations around the world.

This measure was announced on 4 October 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Saluting Their Service.

Veterans’ Home Care Programme — additional funding

Expense ($m)

	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Department of Veterans’ Affairs	13.1	13.1	13.1	-

The Government will provide $52.4 million (including $13.1 million in 2004-05) over four years to provide greater flexibility in meeting the needs of veterans and war widows who currently receive Veterans’ Home Care services.

Veterans’ Home Care assists veterans and war widows to maintain their health and well-being, and remain living independently in their homes, by providing essential domestic services. The proposal increases resourcing for the programme, which will increase the numbers assisted and the level of assistance provided.

This measure was announced on 4 October 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Saluting Their Service.

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