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Last week delivered an important victory for Australia's veterans when the Albanese Government finally abandoned its proposed $5,000 annual cap on veterans' allied health care.
The measure, announced in the May Budget and due to commence in July 2027, would have introduced a $5,000 annual threshold for allied health treatment, with additional care subject to further assessment of clinical need. The measure was expected to save the Budget around $750 million over three years.
The Coalition strongly opposed the proposal and called on the Prime Minister to ‘scrap the cap’, arguing that veterans with complex and ongoing health needs should not face additional uncertainty over their treatment. Veteran organisations and other parliamentarians also raised significant concerns.
Our position was simple: Australians who have served their country deserve confidence that clinically necessary health care will be there when they need it.
The Government argued the threshold was designed to address overservicing and said veterans requiring additional treatment would continue receiving clinically appropriate care. But the response from the veteran community demonstrated the depth of concern about how the proposal would operate in practice.
Eventually, pressure led by the Coalition produced a result.
The Albanese Government walked back the Budget measure and confirmed the $5,000 threshold would not proceed. DVA subsequently confirmed that eligible Veteran Card holders will continue to access allied health treatment under existing arrangements.
This outcome belongs first and foremost to the veterans, families and ex-service organisations who spoke up.
It also demonstrates why a strong Coalition Opposition matters. When government policy gets it wrong, our job is to listen, challenge it and fight for a better outcome.
Our veterans answered Australia's call when their country needed them.
When they needed Parliament to listen, the Coalition stood with them, and together, we helped scrap the cap.
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