MATTERS OF URGENCY

Senator STEELE-JOHN (Western Australia) (16:26): The government must immediately abandon its proposed annual $5,000 cap on allied health services for veterans. I have heard from veterans fearful about what this cap will mean for them, and I want to thank everyone who has got in touch with me about it. Allied health care is so important for our veterans.

In real terms, it can mean a veteran with complex PTSD being able to see a psychologist or somebody who has a physical injury recovering from that injury with the help of a physiotherapist or an OT. When a veteran acquires a lifelong injury or disability, they experience trauma. They should be able to access essential care, not be told that they've hit some arbitrary limit.

Come on! We've seen this story before. Give us a break!

This government is cherry-picking examples of what they're framing as fraud or overcharging, using them to get themselves a media headline and then turning around to punish veterans, who are the victims of this activity. They're taking a situation with a few bad apples and using it for a smokescreen for cuts. The coalition are rightly outraged.

But I've got to say, folks, what did you think was going to happen? This is exactly the kind of thing you voted for last night with the NDIS. They've come for disabled people, cut the supports, and now they're coming for veterans.

The government says, 'Don't worry; if it's over $5,000, you've just got to jump over another hoop.' But you've provided no detail, no clarity and people don't trust you. Allied health care saves lives. Veterans should not have to fight the system that they served.

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