Media Release
Senator the Hon Michael Ronaldson
Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs
Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader of the Opposition on the Centenary of ANZAC
Friday 6 September 2013
Labor snubs veterans
Kevin Rudd and the Labor Party have snubbed veterans and their families by failing to release a policy for Veterans’ Affairs less than 24 hours before the election.
Labor’s policy free zone comes just weeks after it was revealed the Prime Minister allegedly threatened veterans, saying: “Don’t bag us. Because if you bag us, we’ll pull up the drawbridge and you’ll get nothing.”
Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, said after ignoring veterans for the past three years, Labor had failed to deliver a formal policy not just for veterans and their families, but also for Defence.
“Labor has effectively abandoned 300,000 ex-service men and women and tens of thousands of current serving personnel, and their families,” Senator Ronaldson said.
Senator Ronaldson said Kevin Rudd, Warren Snowdon and Labor had no vision and no plan for veterans or for Defence.
“Labor doesn’t deserve to be re-elected if the best they can offer veterans is a half-baked and unfair indexation policy for DFRB and DFRDB superannuants aged 65 and over,” Mr Ronaldson said.
“Only the Coalition has a fair indexation policy for DFRB and DFRDB military superannuants aged 55 – a policy that includes indexation by MTAWE is fully funded and fully costed.
“Only the Coalition has a fully-costed Defence plan for the future.
“Only the Coalition is prepared to restore veterans’ advocacy and welfare funding to support the work of volunteer veterans in the community.
“Only the Coalition has a plan to better recognise the partners and carers of veterans, and we are the only Party with a comprehensive plan to properly honour and commemorate the Centenary of Anzac.
“Not only has Labor failed to release policies for the Veterans Affairs and Defence portfolios, but both Ministers have been missing in action this campaign.
“The Labor Party should be ashamed for this appalling snub to veterans, serving personnel and their families,” Senator Ronaldson said.
Media Contact: Robert Hardie 0418 432 909
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