Veterans warn any change to pension would be ‘act of bastardry’
By Andrew Greene ABC Posted Thu 24 Apr 2014, 6:04pm AEST | Updated Fri 25 Apr 2014, 7:41am AEST
Veterans are warning the Federal Government not to touch military pensions in next month’s budget.
The ABC has learnt the Coalition’s razor gang will consider savings which could leave some former Defence personnel worse off.
One of the proposals is believed to involve closing an old Defence pension scheme and forcing members into a modern version.
Defence Force Welfare Association president David Jamison says the Coalition would be breaking its election commitments to veterans if there are any changes announced next month.
“Well we don’t expect any surprises. The Government committed to consulting with us regularly during this term of office,” he told the ABC.
“And if it now comes up with surprises, particularly adverse provisions in the budget, we would regard that as an act of bastardry and betrayal.”