Veterans’ package to offer discounts

AUSTRALIA’S veteran community will be given discounts on groceries and electricity bills as part of a government package aimed at building a new “culture of respect” for ex-military servicemen and women.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison will today launch a new Veterans’ Card as part of a broader package that includes funding for accommodation for families while veterans receive mental health support.

The Federal Government will adopt a national approach to recognising and identifying veterans by issuing a card, which could take the form of an app on smartphones, and be separate to Department of Veterans’ Affairs health cards.

Mr Morrison, who will also unveil a new veterans’ lapel pin, will write to businesses, including retail chains and electricity and phone companies, asking them to offer discounts or special offers to veterans.

He said Australians wanted to acknowledge and show respect for veterans who had served the country.

“This culture of respect for our servicemen and women is one of the reasons the Invictus Games have been such a success in Australia. We get it,’’ the Prime Minister said.

“As a country we can always do more to recognise and back in our veterans.”

The Government will also provide $7.6 million to expand a program for the children of veterans.

The Kookaburra Kids Defence Program runs weekend camps, activity days and annual family picnics and provides access to a clinical psychologist.

Mr Morrison will also announce $6.7 million for an accommodation facility for the families of veterans who have to travel to Sydney for specialist medical treatment.

The investment comes in the same week it was revealed the Department of Veterans’ Affairs had suffered a $40 million cut to allied health services.