Government News Index
TPI review ... it is going to happen!
MEDIA RELEASE
INDEPENDENT REVIEW INTO ELIGIBILITY FOR VETERANS' ENTITLEMENTS
FEDERAL Member for Longman Mal Brough welcomed confirmation from the Prime Minister today that the voice of TPI veterans had been listened to and acted upon.
Mr Brough said the Prime Minister had responded to concerns that the Coalition veterans policy had not gone far enough.
“John Howard today has reassured the veteran community the independent Review into Eligibility for Veterans' Entitlements announced by the Coalition recently will accept and consider submissions from veterans groups concerning the relationship between the TPI pension and male total average weekly earnings,” he said.
“I welcome the Prime Minister's commitment to the review and his ongoing support for the military and veteran community and would like to thank a little publication called Beyond the Fences in Woodford and several very strong advocates from the Longman electorate who have fought tirelessly on these issues.
“I haven't always been able to deliver exactly what they have been asking for but I hope this commitment is evidence the Howard Government is listening and we do genuinely care about the welfare of TPI veterans and their families across Australia.”
Mr Brough said the independent review would build on the work already achieved by Veteran Affairs Minister Bruce Scott in cooperation with the veteran community - with the terms of reference to be developed as a matter of priority from the sitting of the first Parliament of the new Government.
“A number of submissions have been received and roundtable meetings already conducted at a very high level during the course of the year. This work will be channelled through the independent review, which will be conducted at arms-length from the Repatriation Commission, Veteran Review Board and the Departments of Veteran Affairs and Defence,” he said.
ENDS
November 2, 2001