Second Reading Speeches

Veterans’ Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (Pension Reform) Bill 2009

Type
Government
Portfolio
Veterans' Affairs
Originating house
House of Representatives
Status
Act
Parliament no
42

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Summary

Amends the:

Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986
to: increase the single maximum basic rate of veterans' affairs pensions from 20 September 2009; index veterans' affairs pensions using the Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index; index veterans' affairs pensions using a combined couple benchmark; increase veterans' affairs pensions to compensate for anticipated increases in the living cost index arising from the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme; increase the income test taper rate and remove the additional income test free area for dependent children; introduce a Work Bonus so that certain income is disregarded as ordinary income; close the pension bonus scheme from 20 September 2009; increase the pension age for persons other than veterans from 65 to 67 years; enable certain veterans' affairs pension recipients to apply for an advance of veterans' affairs entitlements;
Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986
,
Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004
,
Income Tax Assessment Act 1997
,
Social Security Act 1991
and
Social Security (Administration) Act 1999
to consolidate a number of smaller payments and allowances into one pension supplement;
Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986
and
Social Security Act 1991
to allow veterans' affairs pensioners to transition to the new arrangements; and
Aged Care Act 1997
in relation to the calculation of total assessable income for residents in aged care.

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