Election 2022: How The Parties Compare

The Animal Justice Party did not provide a response.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

–

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

–

All Animal Justice Party Policies

The Australian Christians responded to our questions, supporting all seven policy objectives.

The Australian Christians commented their goal is to limit bureaucracy for veterans’ families accessing DVA services; and ensure that sufficient mental health support and family counselling is available.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

–

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

–

All Australian Christians Policies

The Australian Citizens Party did not provide a response.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

–

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

–

All Australian Citizens Party Policies

The Australian Democrats did not provide a response.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

–

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

“The Australian Democrats advocate for policies that support the achievement of integrated, patient-centred health care to meet evolving population needs across the entire health system.

All Australian Democrats Policies

The Australian Labor Party acknowledged the DFWA/ADSO election policy objectives and expressed a desire to work together on areas of commonality.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

See separate article on Labor’s veteran related policies

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

“Labor recognises the unique and essential role of the APS in designing and delivering services for the public good and in developing policy solutions to the challenges the nation faces both now and into the future.

“Labor is committed to building a stronger public service that delivers better outcomes for the community, delivers frank and fearless advice to Government, acts as a model employer, and contributes to building a fairer and more inclusive Australia.

“If elected, Labor will establish a Royal Commission into Robodebt by the end of this year and begin consulting on the Terms of Reference for the Commission after the election.

“An Albanese Labor Government will freeze deeming rates at their current levels for two years, protecting around 900,000 aged pensioners and other pension recipients from interest rate rises and making sure pensioners can keep more money in their pockets.

“Labor will keep Australia’s defences strong by treating our defence personnel with the respect they deserve. Labor led the push for a royal commission into veteran suicide – to ask the hard questions and, hopefully, to find some answers. Labor will also deliver new Veterans hubs across Australia to provide one stop shops for access to a range of services.

All Australian Labor Party Policies

The Australian Federation Party did not provide a response.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

“Improve the welfare of veterans and support those who risk their lives to defend us.

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

–

All Australian Federation Party Policies

The Australian Progressives responded to our questions, supporting all seven policy objectives.

“The Progressives actively consult with current and former Defence personnel on veterans affairs.”

“While [the Progressives] support [amending the military covenant], we believe further investigation is required over the proposed insertion into the Act.”

Direct Veteran Related Policies

–

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

–

All Australian Democrats Policies

The Australian Values Party responded to our questions.

“The AVP strongly supports each and all the policy objectives in the DFWA election 2022 scorecard

“The Automatic gold card introduction will immediately clear 70-80% of current claims and also remove this as a forecast issue again. In doing so will free up close to $500million per year in administration and legal expenditure, let alone the delay and distress issues currently experienced. This cost saving will then be put across to close the gap across all services for health providers.

“We have been in consultation to actually increase the support to all Australians requiring hearing support services or equipment, and will therefore enable an additional tier on top of this for Veterans.

“Exemption of employment income from the income test for all veterans post service. We need to stop stuffing around with this and just have it done so we better encourage Veterans to re-engage in work as opposed to isolating, losing purpose or doing it illegally anyway.

“Veterans and their families should receive priority in the following areas:

• Health including aged care waiting lists
• Schooling including agreements with private schooling as a conduction of any federal funding support
• Childcare waiting lists
• Government contracts to Veteran owned businesses similar to the Indigenous owned business priority contracts initiative.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

Australian Values Party has detailed veteran policies on their website. The main headings are:

• The Department of Veterans Affairs needs to be completely restructured.
• Better regulation for our Ex-Service and Veteran Support Organisations.
• Defence Transition process must be fixed immediately.
• Defence Recruiting and Defence Transition Authority must be combined and expanded.
• Investment of federal funding into the professional establishment of Veteran Associations.
• Better qualify the “unique Nature of Service” and the toll this takes on the physical and mental health of our Veterans.
• Exempting employment income from the income test for Veterans receiving any pension with limited means

“Whilst the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is capable to assist in national emergencies, the formation of a ‘National Guard’ like entity will provide an auxiliary capability to render assistance in emergency situations.

“Defence personnel are an important element contributing to the Australia’s Defence capability. Because they are not ‘employees’ as defined in the Fair Work Act, there must be official recognition of an independent body to directly advocate on their behalf. This must entail a complete review of the current Department of Defence and ADF personnel policies and Ex-Service Support Organisations including the establishment of a peak body to regulate the effectiveness of these organisations in supporting our Veterans.

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

–

All Australian Values Party Policies

The Centre Alliance did not provide a response.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

–

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

“The Australian health care system should be subject to rigorous evidence based assessment to identify and eliminate waste and maximise efficiency.

All Centre Alliance Policies

The Country Liberal Party did not provide a response.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

See separate article on the Coalition’s veteran related policies

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

–

All Country Liberal Party Policies

The David Pocock (Party) did not provide a response.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

“I support the ACT Government’s advocacy for the Federal Government to fund a dedicated veterans wellbeing centre in Canberra, noting they have already funded centres in Townsville, Darwin, Perth, Adelaide, Wodonga, Nowra, south-east Queensland and Tasmania. As Minister Davidson has pointed out, the ACT is home to some 26,000 veterans, the highest number of DVA clients per capita of any capital city in Australia. 

“I support investments that will give us the skilled defence workforce we need, whether that is ensuring people have the skills to build our ships, or to crew them.

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

–

All David Pocock Policies

Derryn Hinch responded to our questions, supporting all seven policy objectives.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

“A  Royal Commission into veterans’ affairs and the high number of veteran suicides was long overdue.

“We demand presumptive compensation for all veterans to be paid compensation by default rather than having to legally fight the department for the money. One success in Senator Hinch’s time in office was to expose that Veterans Affairs had spent more than $600,000 on outside consultants fighting a paratrooper crippled in a jump that went wrong. He won the case and an apology in the Senate.

“The JP has continued to pursue federal and state funding for the abandoned former rehab hospital in St. Kilda Road to be turned over to the vets. Senator Hinch was promised it by former PM Malcolm Turnbull and several senior Ministers in the Turnbull and Morrison governments. He twice managed to get it taken off the commercial market.

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

–

All Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party Policies

The Drew Pavlou Democratic Alliance did not provide a response.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

–

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

–

All Drew Pavlou Democratic Alliance Policies

The Federal ICAC Now Party did not provide a response.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

–

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

–

All Federal ICAC Now Policies

The FUSION Party provide a response.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

–

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

–

All Fusion Party Policies

The Indigenous-Aboriginal Party of Australia did not provide a response.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

–

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

–

All Indigenous – Aboriginal Party of Australia Policies

The Informed Medical Options Party did not provide a response.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

–

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

–

All Informed Medical Options Party Policies

The Jacqui Lambie Network did not provide a response.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

–

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

–

All Jacqui Lambie Network Policies

The Katter’s Australian Party did not provide a response.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

–

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

–

All Katter’s Australian Party Policies

The Kim for Canberra (Party) did not provide a response.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

–

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

–

All Kim for Canberra Policies

The Legalise Cannabis Australia Party did not provide a response.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

–

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

–

All Legalise Cannabis Australia Policies

The Liberal Party of Australia did not provide a response.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

See separate article on the Coalition’s veteran related policies

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

–

All Liberal Party of Australia Policies

The Liberal Democratic Party did not provide a response.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

–

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

–

All Liberal Democratic Party Policies

The Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party provide a response.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

–

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

“One Nation will advocate for a $100 a week rise under the Work Bonus scheme that would allow pensioners to earn up to $13,000 a year without reducing their pension.

All Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Policies

The Reason Australia Party did not provide a response.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

–

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

“Reason calls for an increase in rental assistance for financially vulnerable people on government assistance payments who do not own their own home.

“Reason calls for an independent review of Commonwealth Rent Assistance, which should consider the maximum rates and method of indexation of the payment and its interaction with other relevant payments.

All Reason Australia Policies

The Rex Patrick Team did not provide a response.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

–

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

–

All Rex Patrick Team Policies

The Seniors United Party of Australia did not provide a response.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

“Anyone who joins our defence forces to serve their country deserve our utmost respect, gratitude and recognition. As part of the public’s “contract” with veterans is the recognition that when they are injured while in the service of their country, whether that is on home soil or overseas. Australia will look after them with adequate medical and financial support.

“Rationale: Veterans deserve to be treated with respect and taken care of when they return from providing service to the nation. The mental, physical and emotional issues that they face are indescribable. They need to be eligible for services that dignify their contributions – be it housing, financial maintenance or standard of living.  Veterans should be the ones who decide these things not bureaucrats.

“All armed service personnel, once enlisted, are to be entitled to the Gold Card. This entitlement is to be retrospectively applied to all living former service personnel.

“Those to be medically discharged are to have a choice of systems by which they can be discharged. The present system, or one where only independent civilian personnel decide the outcome.

“When discharged veterans are to have full access to well-resourced advocates, support personal and flexible job training to ensure reintegration into mainstream society is successful. Monitoring of their progress and situation is critical to substantially reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans.

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

–

All Seniors United Party of Australia Policies

The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party did not provide a response.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

–

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

–

All Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party Policies

The Socialist Alliance responded to our questions and was supportive of six of the seven policies. The Socialist Alliance were neutral on the extension of fair indexation provisions to all ADF superannuation scheme pensions.

“Measures we advocate for include (but are not limited to):

• Free, universal health care (an end back door co-payments)
• Boost funding for preventative care and chronic disease management
• Free dental care to all, End subsidies to private health insurers
• Expand community-based health care networks
• Boost funding to public mental health services
• Legislate for aged-care staffing ratios
• National mandated/legislated nurse/carer to resident ratios in Residential Aged Care

Direct Veteran Related Policies

–

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

–

All Socialist Alliance Policies

The Sustainable Australia Party did not provide a response.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

–

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

“If elected, issues and legislation outside of our policy platform would be properly reviewed and addressed on its merits, in a science and evidence-based way through appropriate stakeholder engagement – including with a range of experts, the community and our party members.

“Provide universal healthcare, including free basic dental care.

“Properly review the health care system to identify and eliminate waste and mismanagement.

“Develop better quality aged, community and home care facilities and standards

All Sustainable Australia Party Policies

The Australian Greens responded to our questions, supporting all seven policy objectives.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

See separate article on the Australian Greens’ veteran related policies

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

–

All Australian Greens Policies

The The Great Australian Party did not provide a response.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

–

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

“All Seniors who have contributed through the Social Security Contribution levy, upon reaching retirement age, will be entitled to their full pension, without assets test.

“Social Security Pensions to be indexed quarterly, with indexation based on a ‘basket of goods’ more representative of Seniors spending, including fuel.

“Re-introduction of widows pension, especially war widows.

“GAP proposes that standard health care will be free to all Australians who qualify.

All The Great Australian Party Policies

The The Local Party of Australia did not provide a response.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

–

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

–

All The Local Party of Australia Policies

The National Party of Australia did not provide a response.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

See separate article on the Coalition’s veteran related policies

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

–

All National Party of Australia Policies

The TNL (Party) responded to our questions, supporting all seven policy objectives.

Regarding DVA health care: “All essential and will be covered in our cradle to grave free health care plan.

Regarding amending the covenant: “We are about equality of opportunity and ensuring no-one is disadvantaged compared to the rest of the community, especially those who have served their country so directly.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

–

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

“Legislate to ensure free to the patient, cradle to grave health care, is a basic human right for all Australians.

“We will increase the Medicare rebate on GP visits to a realistic level which will encourage most doctors to bulk bill. 

“Raise Medicare rebates to the level they would be had CPI increases occured each year since the establishment of Medicare in 1984 [Comment – DVA fees increases are linked to Medicare fee increases]

“All social security recipients, irrespective of type, will receive roughly double what they are now receiving.

“We will re-invigorate the public service and staff it appropriately

All TNL Policies

The United Australia Party did not provide a response.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

“Our army, navy and air force personnel are valuable members of Australian society. We cannot take their service to the nation then disregard them as Labor and the Liberals have done for the last 20 years.

“A United Australia Party government will link all service pensions to total average earnings. We will expand all gold card benefits to all peacekeepers and Gold card benefits will be automatically delivered to the spouses of all veterans for the term of their life.

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

“Our senior citizens are paid less than others relying on government support. We must change this as a priority. As a first step, a United Australia Party government will increase the pension for retirees by an extra $180 a fortnight.

All UAP Policies

The Victorian Socialists did not provide a response.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

–

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

“Make the pension a liveable income. It should be increased to a minimum of $1,500 per fortnight, indexed to maintain value into the future.

“Restore free, universal health care

All Victorian Socialists Policies

The Western Australia Party did not provide a response.

Direct Veteran Related Policies

–

Indirect Veteran Related Policies

–

All Western Australia Party Policies