Legacy had a key role to play in an changing veteran landscape in which the health and care needs of older women became more complex, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Bruce Billson, said today. Attending the 75th National Conference of the Legacy Clubs of Australia, in Townsville, Mr Billson said Legacy was a tonic for loneliness in the veteran community. “In times of loss, for the families left to rebuild their lives, there can be nothing more comforting than to know that Legacy is there,” Mr Billson said.

“The role of ex-service organisations such as Legacy is absolutely critical in not only helping to deliver services, but in reaching veterans to make them more aware of what is available from government." Mr Billson said the veteran landscape was changing rapidly and over the next 10 years there would be a significant reduction in both the numbers of veterans and the number of war widows, while at the same time their health needs would become increasingly more complex.

“Currently women make up almost 232,000 of the total number of 433,000 beneficiaries under the Veterans’ Entitlement Act. Their numbers will reduce to 123,000 in 10 years, or 47 per cent,” Mr Billson said. “Their numbers will decrease, but those surviving will live longer and their needs will be greater. This change is presenting DVA and ex-service organisations such as Legacy with significant challenges."

“My Department recognises the need to provide a much greater focus on the needs of female clients. To this end, it is investigating the most appropriate and effective ways to support women’s health and wellbeing, not just as specific clients of the Department, but within a broader context of those who provide care and support for our veterans.”

Mr Billson said the possibility of a more inclusive approach to women’s health issues provided great potential for the future. “It’s a future that includes a key role for organisations like Legacy,” he said. Mr Billson said recent measures announced by the Government would help ease the burden on those who Legacy supports. “Last month I announced that Australia's 114,000 war widows and widowers would benefit from pension payment increases and new indexation arrangements,” Mr Billson said.

“War widows and widowers currently receive a non-indexed pension component of $25 a fortnight, formerly called a domestic allowance. This component will increase by $10 a fortnight to $35 from March 2008. This payment will also now be indexed with reference to both the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Male Total Average Weekly Earnings (MTAWE) from March 2008.” Mr Billson said the measures demonstrated the Government’s commitment to ensuring war widows and widowers received the support they deserved.