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Keith
 Aug 15, 06 - 7:52 AM |
A War Veteran Spells Out SOME Of The Real Issues
From: Keith Tennent To: WA RSL ; VVFA National ; Victorian RSL ; Vic TPI ; TPI Federation ; Tas TPI ; Tas RSL ; SA RSL ; Queensland RSL ; NSW TPI ; NSW RSL ; National RSL ; Capricornia RSL ; Barry Billing ; ACT RSL ; PVA Sec ; RSL Nat President ; ACT TPI ; WA TPI ; PVA Research and Benefits Member ; Qld VVFA ; TVille VVFA ; Victoria VVFA ; VVAA Sunshine Coast ; PVA Pres ; President EDA Cc: Main Vet List ; Parliamentary List ; Ian McPhedran News Ltd ; Neil Wilson Herald Journo ; Paul Dyer Journo News Limited ; Sasha Uzunov Freelance Journo ; Edith Bevan Journo ; Mike Carey SBS ; Paul Cutler SBS ; Hugo Kelly Journo ; Paul Murray Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2006 7:49 AM Subject: A WAR VETERAN LAYS OUT SOME OF THE REAL ISSUES THE GOVERNMENT WON'T FIX From: advisor@echidna.id.au Sent: Monday, August 14, 2006 11:34 PM Subject: Why War Veterans Continue to Battle I have written a little about my views over matters that are uppermost in the minds of veterans. It is obvious that I have left out a number of items, such as spiraling costs of medicines etc and have concentrated of some of what I believe are major concerns. Rick ********************* WHY WAR VETERANS CONTINUE TO BATTLE Over the years, war veterans have had to fight for their benefits but it has been over the last five years or so that there has been an obvious increase in the numbers of disenchanted veterans. My personal belief is that these veterans have legitimate grievances. This could easily be remedied should the government of the day and responsible ex-service organizations’ accept their obligations of looking after war veterans. Below, I have tried to give an indication of some of these grievances which may give the reader an idea of just what veterans have to cope with. TPI Special Rate – Erosion The government has consistently ignored the plight of TPIs even after presentation of all the arguments, the Clarke Report and responsible ESOs’ such as the TPI Federation. Indeed, the National President of the TPI Federation – Blue Ryan has been ignored by our Prime Minister – John Howard and has consistently refused Blue an audience. Howard appears to only listen to the National President of the R&SL – Bill Crews who himself has seen to be lacking in his responsibilities to veterans. There has been an abundance of evidence presented to government over this issue but I suggest that it can be simplified by comparing TPIs manner of indexation to that of War Widows and those on the dole. The government did make some change a couple of years back by indexing the amount above the General Rate (100%) to CPI or MTAWE whichever is higher but ignored many veterans who receive part of General Rate. This in effect still has the TPI Special rate eroding. War Widows and those on the dole have their pension and welfare payments indexed to CPI or MTAWE whichever is the higher. Evidence has been presented that shows the gap is closing on those in receipt of the Special Rate and those in receipt of War Widows pension or the dole. To put it even simpler, if one was to compare the figures over the next number of years, it would see a War Widow/ dole recipient getting more money than a Special Rate recipient. Commonsense tells me that this would be a ludicrous situation so why won’t the Howard government fix the problem? Contrary to what you may hear, the amount of expenditure required to remedy the situation is little when compared to the size of the budget expenditure for veterans affairs (last budget $10 billion). Funeral Benefits We now have two different levels of Funeral benefits, one for those that come under the VEA i.e. $1000 and one for those that come under MCRS $4000. Could someone please explain to the disgruntled veterans out there just how this sort of logic can come out of our politicians? How is it possible to have two classes of war veterans, surely funeral costs are constant and undertakers would not see any difference. Gold Card Once again John Howard and the Liberal party decided that it would give a Gold Card to all those over aged 70 years with qualifying service. This occurred as a promise at the last election by the government of the day. Could one be cynical in suggesting that this was an election vote grab? However, ramifications from such a generous offer have had repercussions from many in the medical fraternity which have now withdrawn their services for the acceptance of the Gold Card. This has had an adverse effect on those war veterans that really require treatment and access to doctors’ and specialists’ in their locations. What it also has done is increase the amount spent on health care from the DVA budget. The government claims that the increases in the amount on the DVA budget means that veterans are getting the care they deserve. What they do not say is that because of the Howard vote grabbing exercise, there are many Gold Card holders out there who were once on private health schemes but now use the Gold Card and of course budget money from DVA. I doubt that the government will ever admit to the above. However, the situation now facing war veterans in need of treatment continues. Suicides A touchy subject that is generally ignored my many, including not only the politicians but the press. However, the number of veterans who have succumbed to this tragic circumstance is beyond comprehension. Many still suffer now and the threat of suicide is always on the agenda. Just what causes veterans to act in this way is questionable. I would however, suggest that the treatment (or lack of treatment) of those suffering is a large part of the problem. Other aspects that could be considered are the effects of chemicals such as Agent Orange that may have caused severe damage to the nervous systems of veterans. In other words the coping mechanisms of veterans are failing badly. No matter what the reason, the issue has to be addressed and as a matter of extreme urgency. It can no longer be swept under the carpet. Medals and Commemoration Services These are other ill conceived ideas from the bureaucracy. Often used as a vote catching exercise or for their own egotistical gain from publicity. Politicians have failed to understand that the production of a cheap medal with questionable qualification aspects or the wasted expenditure of millions of dollars on commemorative services does not put food on the table or provide treatment for those veterans that need it. While it may appease some of the masses it does not satisfy the veterans that would rather see the expenditure on something that would enhance their chances of living just that little bit longer. The list goes on. There are other grievances that have become apparent with the younger veterans and with service personnel and their working conditions even in a peacetime circumstance. I can only ponder that if the situation facing veterans and service personnel is across the board then there must be something wrong. Recruitment figures are also down and this is understandable when the voice of dissent is growing with the veteran community and the services. Conclusion Any government, bureaucratic department or ex-service organization that continues to ignore the plight of veterans and servicepersons will do it at their own peril. To those of you that continue the fight, I am sure that your voices are being heard. Take care, Rick |
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