THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE ARTS
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
DAVID FEENEY MP
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR DEFENCE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE CENTENARY OF ANZAC
SHADOW MINISTER FOR JUSTICE
MEMBER FOR BATMAN
MEDIA RELEASE
UNFAIR CUTS HITTING VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES
The Abbott Government's $15 million cut to legal aid is hitting the most vulnerable Australians, contradicting the Attorney-General's hollow claim he would protect frontline legal services.
The NSW Bar Association and Sydney Legacy have raised concerns about the impact cuts to legal aid are having on war veterans and their families.
The cuts mean veterans and widows who appeal Government decisions on their entitlement to a pension or the Gold Card may not have access to legal representation.
In Question Time today Senator Ronaldson clearly had no idea that his colleague Senator Brandis was responsible for the cuts that have put veterans access to legal assistance at risk.
This is just another nasty surprise from the Abbott Government and an additional attack on the veteran community which has been unfairly targeted in the Budget of Broken Promises.
Announcements from the unfair budget meant that the pensions of 280,000 veterans, war widows, war orphans and disabled veterans would be cut by slashing the rate of indexation.
It's hypocritical that Tony Abbott and Senator Ronaldson have stated many times that our veterans deserve to be recognised for their unique contribution to Australia and yet their Government is brutally stripping away support for them.
Our veterans shouldn't have to foot the bill for Tony Abbott's broken promises and twisted priorities.
Labor calls on the Government to reverse their savage cuts to legal assistance. If Senator Ronaldson wants to show genuine support for veterans and their families he should back the reinstatement of this vital funding.
THURSDAY, 12 FEBRUARY 2015
