Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie fought back tears and her voice cracked as she pleaded with the Albanese government to scrap a proposed cap on allied health services for veterans, warning the measure could lead to suicides.
Senators comforted an emotional Lambie after her address in Parliament on Wednesday, during which she made a direct appeal to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh.
The Tasmanian senator, a veteran herself, argued limiting support for those with complex healthcare needs would put lives at risk.
‘I do believe it will cause suicides,’ Lambie said.
‘But more importantly, it is not worth a veteran’s life. So, once again, I am begging you to scrap the cap.’
Lambie became visibly emotional as she condemned plans to introduce a $5,000 annual cap on allied health services for some veterans.
She described the proposal as a betrayal of recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
‘The Albanese government must immediately scrap the proposed $5,000 cap on allied health services for veterans,’ Lambie said.
Jacqui Lambie (pictured) broke down during a speech in Parliament, urging the government to reverse its stance
Lambie made a direct appeal to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh
‘This is contrary to recommendations from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide and represents a callous disregard for veterans’ health and wellbeing.’
Speaking a day after Vietnam Veterans’ Day, Lambie reminded Parliament that Vietnam veterans had spent years campaigning for the royal commission.
She then accused the government of ignoring its findings.
‘The royal commissioners were clear: one of the biggest triggers for veterans taking their own lives is the lack of timely, accessible and ongoing health care,’ she said.
‘On the day of the report’s release, the Prime Minister said, ‘Just as our veterans and defence personnel step up for our country, we have an obligation to step up for them’.
‘I have asked: how is putting a $5,000 cap on our allied health providers stepping up for us?’
Lambie argued the proposal would affect a small number of veterans but have devastating consequences for those living with chronic service-related injuries and illnesses.
According to figures she cited from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, more than 357,000 Australians receive support from the department while about 3,000 access allied health services worth more than $15,000 each year.
Other senators comforted Lambie (centre) after her emotional speech on Wednesday
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‘That’s less than one per cent of us,’ Lambie said.
‘What you need to ask yourself is: how many veterans’ lives will this cost?’
Lambie said veterans’ groups, ex-service organisations and families have united against the proposal, including the Returned and Services League.
She also pointed to broader failures within the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, claiming doctors and specialists are walking away from treating veterans because of low fees and delayed payments.
‘I know of at least five doctors over the last month who have stopped treating veterans because they cannot afford it,’ Lambie said.
The senator added that veterans are facing lengthy delays for claims and medical approvals, with some procedures waiting up to 60 days for approval and liability claims taking more than a year to assess.
‘According to DVA’s own data, there are currently over 100,000 claims waiting to be ticked off,’ she said, as her voice cracked.
‘For the seven per cent of veterans like me who have ongoing chronic issues from our service, this is a hammer blow. Allied health services are often the difference between a veteran getting back on their feet or not.’
In a final plea to Albanese and Keogh, Lambie urged the government to find savings elsewhere rather than targeting veterans.
‘I do not understand why you are having this fight with us,’ she said.
‘It is not worth it. It is not worth your leadership, PM. But more importantly, it is not worth a veteran’s life.’
