High profile former Major-General and NSW Senator Jim Molan has publicly called for any future Australian Government to address the glaring inequity in compensation payments for Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (TPI) Veterans. Senator Molan, who was Chief of Operations for Coalition forces in Iraq, said the current level of economic loss compensation payments was well below the gross minimum wage and was not allowing the most disabled Veterans to properly care for themselves and their families.
“TPI Veterans that have been left permanently disabled as a result of their Service for Australia now find themselves receiving well below the minimum wage for their economic loss compensation while trying to live a normal life for themselves and their families,” Senator Molan said.
Senator Molan has sought to work with the TPI Federation since coming into Parliament in December 2017 due to his firm views on the lack of support for TPI veterans.
“I firmly believe that of the many claims around unfairness for veterans, TPI veterans are the most deserving among the broader veteran community,” Senator Molan said.
The TPI Federation of Australia President, Ms Pat McCabe OAM, welcomed Senator Molan’s call to address the TPI Compensation inequity.
Ms McCabe said the Federation has recently met with the Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, and ALP veterans’ spokesperson, the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP, seeking a commitment from both sides of the Government to have the TPI compensation raised to the gross minimum wage level.
“Both sides have advised, that despite TPI Veterans having a ‘compelling’ and ‘justified’ case, they cannot support the financing of this,” she said.
“The TPI Federation noted the ALP’s election announcement of $118 million to assist Veterans and their families with their funeral costs. But what about helping TPI Veterans when they are still alive and struggling to support themselves and their families on the current economic loss compensation of 63% of the gross minimum wage.”
The TPI compensation is made up of two components – pain and suffering, and economic loss. While the pain and suffering component has remained stable, the economic loss compensation component has eroded to such an extent that it is currently 63% of the gross minimum wage.
Senator Molan said: “TPI Veterans have served their country and suffered as a result of that Service. We need to ensure they are able to live fulfilling lives after their service.”
“The TPI Federation has advocated for this with the Government and Opposition for almost seven years on this issue, yet the TPI Veterans who have served their country remain at a considerable disadvantage.
“A restoration in compensation, as advocated by the TPI Federation, will help alleviate this disadvantage and help support those veterans who continue to suffer after their service.’
* * * * * * *
