Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie has leaped to the defence of embattled Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh after Labor backed down on a policy capping Vet’s allied health services.
Senator Lambie who had been a vocal critic of the $5000 cap which was due to take effect on July 1, 2027 and urged veterans to “have a beer” in celebration.
The threshold had angered the veterans community who launched a campaign against Labor’s changes, which included laying down their medals outside of Parliament.
Joined by co-sponsors David Pocock, Lidia Thorpe and David Shoebridge on Thursday, she told the media she claimed a win over her bill to ban any future caps on health services for veterans.
“Have a great weekend. Have a beer. Have too many beers. Do whatever. But the bloody cap has been scrapped. You beauty,” she said.
“We’re backing it up, making sure that they’re never ever going to try it again.”
Despite criticisms from veterans of Mr Keogh’s performance in the portfolio and the Opposition’s calls for him to resign, Senator Lambie defended him.
“So for the veterans out there, please don’t take (it) out on Mr Keogh,” she said.
“Please don’t take it out on the Veterans Affairs because I have seen more movement in the last two years since that royal commission than what I have in the whole 10 years I’ve bloody been up here.”
Opposition leader Angus Taylor, however, took a different approach at a press conference on Thursday, insisting his position needed to be reconsidered.
“The Prime Minister shouldn’t have just scrapped the cap. He should have scrapped the Minister,” Mr Taylor said.
Former veterans’ affairs minister Michael McCormack echoed the call, describing it as a “real character test” for the Prime Minister “because today he should also sack the minister”.
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