Australian Ex Service men and women in receipt of military superannuation pensions could not have been more impressed with the opening words the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Warren Snowdon, used in his budget-related media statement on Tuesday when he said “Our priority is to make sure we look after those who have sacrificed so much for this country.”

The aspiration of that comment is applauded. And for that reason the Alliance of Defence Service Organisations welcomes the Government’s budgetary response to the Review of Military Compensation Arrangements and its $17.4 million commitment over the next four years to implement 96 recommendations flowing from the 108 recommendations of the Review. This commitment will deliver improvements to current arrangements for compensation and health care; increase financial compensation for eligible members and families; and improve training for those who provide advice to the veteran community on entitlements.

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