Michelle Landry MP: I’m calling on Labor to SCRAP the proposed $5,000 Veterans’ health cap

Veterans deserve access to the care they need for as long as they need it. In Parliament this week, I recognised the important work of Rockhampton’s Blank Cheque Movement and called on the Albanese Labor Government to abandon its proposed $5000 annual review threshold on DVA-funded allied health care before it takes effect on 1 July 2027. Founded by Army veterans Bradey and Charlene Livermore, the Blank Cheque Movement has grown from a veteran-owned local business into a welcoming place where veterans, Defence personnel, first responders and their families can find connection, understanding and support. Bradey and Charlene are now working to establish a permanent veterans’ hub in Rockhampton. Their vision is to create an accessible, fit-for-purpose home for consultation rooms, offices and training facilities, where practical assistance and community support can be delivered locally. I strongly support this vision because regional veterans deserve services close to home, without further barriers between them and the help they need. The Government’s proposed threshold could affect veterans accessing essential services including physiotherapy, psychology, occupational therapy and exercise physiology. While the Government claims clinically necessary treatment can continue following a review, veterans deserve clear answers about what that process will involve, how long it will take and whether their treatment will be interrupted. Treatment decisions should be made by veterans and their trusted health professionals based on clinical need, not an arbitrary dollar figure imposed in Canberra. The message from veterans, their families, clinicians and ex-service organisations is clear: scrap the cap.