Defence discount on cards
A US- STYLE military card for discounts on petrol, food and even weddings will be rolled out to Australian veterans in a national recognition plan.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will today unveil a proposed joint venture with business to reduce the cost of living for those who have served their country – regardless of when they retired from the Australian Defence Force.
The new veterans card is part of a four- pronged strategy to better acknowledge former ADF members and coincides with the final day of the Invictus Games in Sydney.
The plan would benefit about 300,000 Australian veterans. The new card will be created to make it easier for businesses or organisations to identify veterans.
A CARD replicating a US military system giving discounts on expenses such as food and electricity will be available to Australian veterans through a Federal Government plan.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will launch a proposed joint venture with business to help ease the financial burden on struggling ex- Australian Defence Force personnel, in- cluding more than 80,000 living in Queensland. In the US, thousands of businesses offer former military personnel discounts on wedding rings, flowers, university fees, cars, utilities and groceries.
Under the initiative, the Government would provide the Kookaburra Kids Defence Program with $ 7.6 million over four years to support the children of veterans struggling with poor mental health.
The plan also includes $ 6.7 million for a facility to house rural and regional veterans and their families getting treatment at a hospital.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the community wanted to acknowledge the sacrifices made by ex- serving men and women.
“We are introducing a veterans card and pin that will make it easier for businesses to show their appreciation by offering special discounts and offers for our veterans,” Mr Morrison said.
“I’ve seen first hand the battles so many veterans face when they leave the defence forces … As a country we can always do more to recognise and back our veterans.”
Mr Morrison said the card was on top of the Federal Government’s $ 11 billion in funding to veterans each year.
“As the Invictus Games come to an end and we mark the Centenary of Armistice, we want to set Australia up to support the veterans of today and tomorrow,” he said.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Darren Chester said the funding showed how grateful the community was for their service.
“Our Government is committed to putting veterans and their families first and we recognise there is enormous goodwill in the community to support our veterans,” Mr Chester said.
“Australians recognise the unique nature of military service and the covenant supported by a veteran card will allow businesses and individuals to practically demonstrate that support every day of the year.”
LNP candidate for Herbert Phillip Thompson said he and other veterans welcomed the announcement.
“Other nations have already implemented cards like this and it shows how we progressive we are in supporting veterans.”