Labor has backdown on plans to impose a $5,000 cap on health services for defence veterans, caving to growing political pressure after weeks of criticism. The government announced it would no longer pursue the cap for allied health services, which had been to come into force on 1 July 2027, after a weeks-long campaign by the opposition, veterans groups and independent senator Jacqui Lambie. In a surprise move on Thursday, the veteran’s affairs minister, Matt Keogh, said he would drop the plan after concerns were raised following the May federal budget.
The opposition leader, Angus Taylor, has called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to sack Keogh. Labor had announced the policy to stop veterans being forced to go back to a doctor for an allied health referral every 12 sessions. The government said veterans needing more funding over the cap would still be allowed to apply for extra assistance.
Lambie had revealed her own health struggles and access to care in an impassioned speech to the Senate last month, urging the government to drop the $5,000 cap, warning it would have a “devastating impacts” on veterans. I’m relieved that the government has finally listened and scrapped it and I thank them for doing it,” Lambie said in a statement on Thursday. It should never have happened,” he said.
The budget is unwinding before our eyes.” Fair Care for Veterans spokesman, John Armfield, a former Navy clearance diver, thanked Keogh for the backdown. Today the minister agreed, and we thank him for it.” “Nobody had to lose for this to happen. The minister made the right call, and he deserves credit for it.”
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