Veteran fears budget changes 'going to cause more suicides'
Veterans call for $5,000 allied health cap to be removed
Noah Schefe spent five years in the Australian Defence Force. (Supplied: Noah Schefe)
In short:
The federal budget introduced a $5,000 annual limit on veteran's allied health expenditure, but they can apply for more funding, if needed.
One infantry veteran says the decision is a joke and a betrayal, and the politicians who made it should be banned from Anzac Day.
What's next?
The opposition spokesperson for defence industry and defence personnel intends to table a petition in parliament calling for the changes to be reversed.
An Australian Defence Force veteran says caps on allied health spending for veterans are a betrayal and that any politician supportive of the changes will not be welcome at Anzac Day events.
This year's federal budget introduced an annual limit of $5,000 on allied health expenditure for veterans from July 1, 2027, saying this would "help limit unnecessary over-servicing".
Veterans requiring support above the cap would need to apply for more funding.
When Townsville-based ADF veteran Noah Schefe saw the announcement, he "thought it was a joke".
"No-one could seriously be putting something like that forward," he said.
Noah Schefe serving in the infantry in the ADF. (Supplied: Noah Schefe)
The veteran, among others, is urging the government to back down from introducing the limit.
'100 per cent betrayal'
Mr Schefe receives regular chiro and physiotherapy for injuries sustained in his five years as an infantry soldier.
He said his expenses would reach the $5,000 cap within a couple of months.
And he is not alone.
"The saying was always, 'If you haven't got a permanent injury after your four-year mark as an infantry soldier, you're not doing it right,'" Mr Schefe said.
Noah Schefe says politicians who support cutting veteran support should not attend memorial events. (ABC North Queensland: Nathalie Fernbach)
He said the caps were a betrayal of the people who risked everything for their country, and he blamed decisions like this on the army's declining recruitment rate.
Mr Schefe said anyone in support of the cap should be banned from attending memorial events.
"It's like, 'We want you to go and risk life and limb, but if something happens and you need help, we don't know you,'" he said.
"It's 100 per cent betrayal."
The median annual spend on allied health for veteran cardholders is $1,900.
Caps to be lifted for greater needs
Federal Minister for Veterans' Affairs Matt Keogh said the limit would "make sure treatments are working in veterans' best interests".
Those requiring clinical support above the $5,000 limit would be able to receive extra funding.
"We will consult with the veteran community over coming months about these changes," Mr Keogh said.
"We've been clear that where there is clinical need, veterans will be able to exceed the annual allocation."
Matt Keogh has addressed the National Press Club one year since the government responded to the royal commission. (ABC News: Courtney Withers)
Psychology and counselling services delivered through government-funded mental health service Open Arms would not count towards the limit.
Opposition spokesperson for defence industry and defence personnel Phillip Thompson, himself a medically discharged veteran, also slammed the cap.
He raised concerns about the process for accessing extra support and said that when veterans hit their limit, they "have to somehow find a special number and apply".
"That could be several months," Mr Thompson said.
The department says it is "working to ensure the process is simple and how approval for additional limits will be made quickly".
'More suicides in our community'
Mr Thompson, who was suspended from the lower house in May over comments he made about the proposed cap, said he intended to table a petition in parliament calling for the changes to be reversed.
Phillip Thompson was suspended from parliament over comments he made about the proposed cap. (ABC News: Matt Roberts)
He said he expected tens of thousands of veterans to exceed the limit.
"People have already written to me and said, 'I will reach this cap in two months, and I will be a burden on my family,' and I won't let that happen," he said.
"I'm really worried this is going to cause more suicides in our community.
"It's a national shame, and it should be changed."
