Labour promises pensions to all vets

Veterans are only eligible for a pension at present if they are disabled. Photo / Alan Gibson

All war veterans would be eligible for a veteran's pension under a Labour government, leader David Cunliffe said yesterday.

The pension would offer veterans the same weekly payment as the Government's superannuation scheme and give them a Community Services card, the ability to keep the pension while in hospital and entitlement to a lump sum towards funeral costs.

At present, veterans are eligible for the pension only if they are significantly disabled, defined as a "52 per cent or higher impairment".

The changes were recommended by the Law Commission, but rejected by the National Government which said the changes should not progress at this point, Mr Cunliffe said at the Avondale RSA in Auckland.

"Time is something the veterans of World War II — as well as the Korean, Malayan and Vietnam wars — don't have on their side. Age means their numbers are rapidly declining.

"Labour will scrap the disability requirement so all veterans can receive the pension. This will send the important message that the service of all veterans is valued."

At the second reading of the Veterans' Support Bill in Parliament this month the proposal was rejected, with Acting Veterans' Affairs Minister Nathan Guy saying it would cost more than $40 million over the first four years alone. Labour said the change would cost $11 million this year, declining to $8 million in three years as veterans' ranks thinned.