Townsville veteran calling for Department of Veterans’ Affairs to automatically issue free health card entitlement
A TOWNSVILLE veteran is calling for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to automatically issue a free health card entitlement to defence personnel as soon as they exit the service.
Townsville
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A TOWNSVILLE veteran is calling for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to automatically issue a free health card entitlement to defence personnel as soon as they exit the service.
Former 2RAR platoon sergeant and Medal of Gallantry recipient Justin Huggett also called for a DVA information pack to be given to soldiers upon discharge in a Facebook video in December, which has since received more than 65,000 likes.
He has since released another video on YouTube, which has received almost 1000 views, detailing how ex-service personnel can obtain a White Card.
Mr Huggett said he made the videos in frustration after floating his ideas with Veterans’ Affairs Minister Dan Tehan five months ago and getting no response.
“Veterans’ mental health is a specialist problem that requires specialist people to fix it, not a group of people who have their heart in the right place, but don’t have the knowledge of how to fix it,” he said.
“I know there is not a quick- fix solution because there are so many things that need to happen but the biggest problem out there at the moment is people don’t know there is this free entitlement for mental health treatment.
“All ex-service personnel are entitled to it so why make them apply for it? Why not give it to them as they go out the door of Defence with an information pack about how to use it.”
A White Card entitles the holder to care and treatment for injuries or conditions that are service-related and other conditions including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression. In a statement to the Bulletin late yesterday, Mr Tehan said he had spoken with Mr Huggett and his department was looking into improving processes.
“I had a valuable conversation with Justin and listened to his ideas and we are looking to provide White Cards to all ADF personnel as part of a pack they will receive on discharge,” he said.
“Defence and DVA are continuing to improve the transition process for ADF personnel leaving the military and are working together to strengthen service delivery, information sharing and claims processing through an early engagement model that will allow DVA to establish a relationship with personnel from the time they join the ADF.
“At the launch of the Prime Minister’s Veterans Employment Program in November, the Government committed that all ADF personnel leaving the military would have all necessary documentation in place before discharge.”
Originally published as Townsville veteran calling for Department of Veterans’ Affairs to automatically issue free health card entitlement
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