Hastings veterans have been supported with the passing of a bill to recognise their commitment, service and sacrifice and provide improved financial support.
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Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan welcomed the Australian Veterans' Recognition Bill 2019 and the commitment to create an Australian Defence Veteran Covenant to enshrine in legislation the importance of veterans and to transform the culture of the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA).
"As a country we can always do more to back our veterans, as they have sacrificed to defend our country in times of war or to become a member of the Australian Defence Force and its reserves," he said.
"I am pleased this new suite of initiatives was passed in Parliament on the eve of Veterans' Health week and before the leaders of RSL sub-Branches in my area attend the RSL Annual State Congress in Albury on the weekend.
"The new initiatives are centred on delivering a covenant to recognise our veterans and the legislation includes a statement requiring the DVA to adopt a beneficial approach when interpreting legislation and apply a fair, just and consistent approach to veterans' claims.
"The covenant will be supported by the introduction of an oath, a new Australian Veteran's Card and a veteran's lapel pin."
The covenant recognition package includes an oath and a lapel pin to be provided to veterans and eligible reservists. The package also includes the veteran card - a redesign of the existing DVA health cards, which is open to new applicants and will be provided to existing card holders over the coming months. Importantly this process does not change entitlements current card holders have.
There is a whole bunch of servicemen who served between the Vietnam War and Iraq who trained for many years with the army or navy, but did not see active combat and they have got nothing.
- Greg Laird, Port Macquarie RSL sub-Branch president
Arrangements are still being finalised for businesses across Australia to recognise the unique nature of military service by providing benefits through the veteran card. Interested businesses can find out more by contacting DVA.
Port Macquarie RSL sub-Branch president Greg Laird welcomed the new legislation, saying it will help a sway of veterans who haven't seen active combat and therefore have received little recognition to date.
"There is a whole bunch of servicemen who served between the Vietnam War and Iraq who trained for many years with the army or navy, but did not see active combat and they have got nothing," Mr Laird said.
"I welcome anything the government can do to give servicemen recognition. The public are pretty good - if someone shows a DVA card when they book into a motel for example, generally the proprietor offers them a 10 per cent discount, which is great. People do want to support our veterans, so this new lapel pin and card will help that."
Veterans can apply for the covenant, lapel pin and oath online using MyService.
Upon Royal Assent in coming weeks, the Australian Veterans' Recognition Bill 2019 will become a separate Act. The Act does not change current entitlements for veterans.
