ABC North Qld

Topic: Veterans

Friday, 26 June 2026, at 7:24 am

Noah Schefe spent five years in the Australian army.

In short:

The government has set a $5,000 limit on health spending for veterans, but they can ask for more money if needed.

One veteran says this decision is a joke and a betrayal, and politicians who agree with it should not be allowed to attend Anzac Day events.

What's next?

The opposition plans to ask the government to change its decision about the health spending limit for veterans.

An Australian army veteran says the limit on health spending is a betrayal, and politicians who support it are not welcome at Anzac Day events.

This year's budget includes a $5,000 limit on health spending for veterans starting from 1 July 2027.

Veterans who need more help can ask for extra money.

When Noah Schefe heard about the limit, he thought it was a joke.

No-one could seriously suggest something like that, he said.

Noah Schefe was in the infantry in the Australian army.

The veteran and others want the government to change its decision about the health spending limit.

'100 per cent betrayal'

Mr Schefe gets regular treatment for injuries from his time in the army.

He said his expenses would reach the $5,000 limit in a couple of months.

And he is not alone.

As an infantry soldier, it's common to get injured, Mr Schefe said.

Noah Schefe says politicians who support cutting veteran benefits should not attend memorial events.

He said the limit is a betrayal of people who risked their lives for their country.

Mr Schefe said anyone who supports the limit should not be allowed to attend memorial events.

'It's like, we want you to risk your life, but if you get hurt, we don't care,' he said.

'It's 100 per cent betrayal.'

The average amount spent on health for veterans is $1,900 per year.

Caps to be lifted for greater needs

The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Matt Keogh, said the limit would ensure treatments work in the best interests of veterans.

Veterans who need more help can get extra money.

The government will talk to the veteran community about these changes, Mr Keogh said.

Where there is a clinical need, veterans will be able to get more money than the limit.

Matt Keogh spoke at the National Press Club about the government's response to the royal commission.

Some mental health services will not count towards the limit.

The opposition spokesperson for defence, Phillip Thompson, also criticized the limit.

He said the process for getting extra help is not clear and could take several months.

The department is working to make the process simple and quick.

'More suicides in our community'

Mr Thompson plans to ask the government to change its decision about the health spending limit for veterans.

Phillip Thompson was suspended from parliament for comments he made about the proposed limit.

He said many veterans will reach the limit and need more help.

People have written to him saying they will reach the limit and be a burden on their families.

'I'm really worried this will cause more suicides in our community.'

'It's a national shame, and it should be changed.'

Friday, 26 June 2026, at 7:24 am

If you need someone to talk to, call:

Hörübung