Veterans get more support

Rotorua war veterans will be better provided for under legislation designed to improve a 60-year-old law.

The new Veterans' Support Bill passed its third reading with unanimous support in Parliament this week ahead of next week's 100th anniversary of the start of New Zealand's involvement in World War I.

The bill is central to a $60 million Government package announced in response to the 2010 Law Commission review of the War Pensions Act 1954, described by the Commission as outdated and inaccessible.

Main changes include splitting veteran coverage, one scheme for veterans who served before 1974, and another for veterans who served after that time and were covered by ACC.

Further advances included more practical support for veterans and their families, such as increased eligibility for home help or lawn mowing, and a bigger mileage allowance for medical appointments.

The new bill has been criticised for failing to provide lump sum payments to families to cover veterans' funeral costs.

Rotorua RSA has 1871 registered members, including 352 returned servicemen and women who have served in war or peacekeeping deployment, according to 2012 membership figures.

National RSA president Don McIver said he was disappointed lump sums for families would only go to veterans with 52 per cent or more disability.