Lambie Hits Government Over Veterans Cap

Independent senator Jacqui Lambie has criticised the federal government’s plan to cap allied health spending for veterans at $5000 a year, warning it could cost lives.Speaking in the senate on Wednesday, Lambie, a former Australian Army corporal, called the government’s spending cap a “callous disregard for veterans’ health and wellbeing” and pleaded for it to be scrapped (SMH).Labor has said that veterans with a valid clinical need will be able to access funding above the $5000 threshold, and has committed nearly $170m to increase fees for allied health providers. But Lambie said the approach is at odds with the findings of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide (SMH).Liberal frontbencher Phil Thompson attempted to pass a no-confidence motion in Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh, saying the minister failed to demonstrate adequate respect to veterans and their families. The attempt was unsuccessful because Labor holds a strong majority in the lower house (ABC).Coalition leader Angus Taylor used Question Time to ask Prime Minister Anthony Albanese why he would not sack Keogh, who Taylor called “incompetent and disrespectful” (ABC).Albanese responded by saying he has “every confidence” in Keogh (ABC).