The Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 was introduced in the House of Reps on Wed 27.6.2012. It proposes to amend Veterans’ Affairs and other legislation to, among other things:
- amend the ITAA 1997 to exempt from income tax, reimbursements made under the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, including payments under the new Veterans’ Pharmaceutical Reimbursement Scheme;
- exempt as income for the purposes of the social security income test, bereavement payments in respect of indigent veterans or members;
- ensure that the debt recovery provisions will be applicable to all relevant provisions of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986, the regulations and any legislative instrument made under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act;
- rationalise the maintenance income provisions of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act by repealing the redundant definitions and operative provisions and aligning the remaining definitions with those used in the Social Security Act 1991.
[LTN 122, 27/6]