Labor’s veterans pledge welcomed

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Elsie Lange

McEwen Labor MP Rob Mitchell has praised the opposition’s $519 plan to address “a decade of damage and neglect” in veterans affairs if they win government.

“Presently, veterans are being forced to wait up to 18 months for their claims to be processed by Veterans Affairs,” Mr Mitchell said.

Labor’s plan includes a to cut wait times through increased staffing, 10 new veterans hubs, boosting defence home ownership, increasing the veterans pension, a veteran employment program and a family support strategy.

“This backlog is unacceptable. Our veterans deserve so much better than this,” Mr Mitchell said.