The year 2005 would be remembered as a year of significant commemorations to honour Australian veterans, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, De-Anne Kelly, said today. Mrs Kelly extended her best wishes to members of Australia's veteran community for a happy and safe Christmas and New Year, saying the enhanced recognition and support they received from the Australian Government in 2005 would continue into the future.

"2005 has been a landmark year for the Australian veteran community, and the Government was proud to support activities to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign and the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II," Mrs Kelly said. "Nearly 254,000 members of the veteran community have received the Australian Government Commemorative Medallion, which was issued to provide personal recognition to surviving World War II veterans, widows and widowers.

"But this year has also seen the end of an era in Australian history, with the passing of William (Evan) Allan, the last Australian veteran to see active service in World War I." Mrs Kelly said several new initiatives announced in the 2005-06 Federal Budget were providing much-needed help to members of the veteran community.

"I am pleased many veterans, war widows and widowers are now benefiting from the Government's health care and income support initiatives introduced during the year," she said. "We have increased the fees for anaesthetists, dentists and allied health professionals who provide services to veterans, and extended the seniors concession allowance to more than 44,000 Gold Card holders over veteran pension age who did not previously receive it."

Mrs Kelly said Australia's repatriation system had served the veteran community well and would continue to do so in future. "January 1 will mark the 70th anniversary of the introduction of the service pension, which has offered income support for veterans from the Boer War tothe war in Iraq.

"Also in January our Veterans' Home Care program will mark five years of providing a range of home care services to help veterans and war widows live independently in their home." Mrs Kelly said the Department of Veterans' Affairs would be closed for the Christmas-New Year break from Saturday, December 24, to Monday, January 2. "For those members of the veteran community who may need support during the holiday season, free counselling is available 24 hours a day through Veterans' Line on 1800 011 046," she said.

"Once again I extend my warmest wishes to Australia's veteran and defence force communities for a happy and safe holiday season, and look forward to continuing to work with them in a spirit of goodwill and cooperation in
the coming year."