Three key ex-service organisations have called for non-liability health care (NLHC) for all Defence Reservists. The Defence Reserves Association (DRA), the Defence Force Welfare Association (DFWA), and the Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) have written a joint letter to the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, Matt Keogh, seeking his support for the extension of health care to all those serving in the reserve forces.
Camaraderie Vol 53, No 2 available to view or download online.
CSC advises that Defence Force superannuation scheme pensions will be increased by 3.5% from 01 July 2022.
On 14 May 2021, the Government provided an update on its response to the Productivity Commission Report, A Better Way to Support Veterans. The Government will finalise any outstanding matters from the Productivity Commission report at the completion of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
In this edition: Review of Medallic Recognition for RCB • Royal Commission Update • The Douglas Case and Invalidity Benefit Taxation • Federal Election 2022 • The Boys Case
DFWA asked each Party registered for the 2022 Federal Election whether it supported the policy objectives of the DFWA. The DFWA reviewed each Party’s veteran and defence personnel related policies. Check out the scorecard and details of each Party.
The Greens have a suite of policies that specifically affect veterans and have existing veteran policy positions which the Greens have advised remain current.
A March 2022 decision of the Federal Court – Boys v Repatriation Commission – found that the date of clinical onset of cervical spondylosis was the date the veteran had the x-ray that was used to diagnose the illness. This is contrary to DVA policy and existing law regarding clinical onset and diagnosis. Why did it go wrong?
Labor released its Veteran Policies for the 2022 Federal Election – “Labors Plan to Address the Veterans Crisis”.
On 12 April 2022, the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation (CSC) announced that it would follow the law and implement the tax changes following the 2020 Federal Court Douglas decision. The changes will be implemented for the 19 May 2022 pay-day.