Dissenting Report from the Australian Greens
Schedule 1 and Schedule 3
The Australian Greens are in general agreement with the
Majority Committee’s report on Schedules 1 and 3 of the Bill, but
dissent with its comments and recommendations in relation to Schedule 2.
Schedule 2 Partner Service Pension
This amendment has caused a great deal of concern in the
community. It has the potential to impact on the wellbeing and financial
security of a group of people who have in many cases faced considerable
hardship, been out of the workforce for a considerable period, and are unlikely
to have superannuation or recent employment skills. We heard evidence during
the committee inquiry that some partners have spent a considerable period
living with, caring for and supporting a Veteran partner suffering from Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or other significant physical or mental health
issues. Some have suffered from family violence as a result of the trauma their
partners have experienced in the service of our country. These women have
therefore been forced to leave the family home. The cost to personal well-being
of caring for a traumatised loved one – in terms of the time, emotional
investment and missed job and career opportunities- can be significant. The
Australian Greens believe that the nation has a duty and obligation to care for
veterans and their families. We are concerned that these issues have not been
adequately addressed in the majority report.
a. Definition
of illness separated couple
The Majority Committee report suggests that women who have
separated from their Veteran partner due to PTSD or other mental illness may
retain their Partner Service Pension if they are assessed by the Department of
Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) as an illness separated
couple.
However, as stated by the DVA in
its answers to questions on notice, the definition of ‘illness separated
couple’ requires some evidence of a continuing marriage-like relationship.
"In addition to living
apart due to illness, the veteran and spouse must remain members of a couple –
that means, remain legally married and continue to have a married relationship.[1]"
However, partners who have separated from the
veteran due to fear of violence or actual violence resulting from the veteran’s
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or other mental illness are not in a position to
maintain this relationship. These women are the ones most likely to lose their
eligibility for PSP, particularly as the veteran can decline to be considered a
member of an illness separated couple. We therefore believe that the criteria
of an illness separated couple needs be reviewed to ensure that it does not
exclude partners who are separated due to PTSD (or other service-related mental
illness) and/or family violence and have separate financial arrangements.
Recommendation 1
That the Government amend the
criteria for an illness separated couple to accommodate the needs of those
partners who are separated due to PTSD, mental illness and/or family violence
and, who, out of concern for their safety, are not in a position to provide the
care to the veteran that they would otherwise have provided.
b. Transition
period
These proposed measures will come into place on January 1
2009.
Many of the separated recipients have already been apart from their veteran
husband for more than 12 months and will therefore lose their eligibility
immediately. In the intervening period, people must await the review of their
case by DVA and
must then seek some other form of income either through employment or income
support from Centrelink. Those moving on to a Centrelink payment will receive
less than the current rate of PSP and so will have to adjust to a lower income.
We are concerned to ensure that there is an adequate period to allow people to
make the necessary financial adjustments such as renegotiating mortgage
payments and rents.
Recommendation 2
That transition arrangements
be put in place that provide affected PSP recipients with adequate time to
reorganise their finances and apply for employment or income support from
Centrelink.
Senator Rachel Siewert
Australian
Greens
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