Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Marie-Clare Boothby, says it’s absolutely unbelievable that the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Paul Kirby, has no oversight of – and no idea about – funding for his portfolio.
“We asked the Minister simple questions like: What is the 2022–23 budget specifically allocated to Veterans’ Affairs? Despite being the Minister responsible for the portfolio, he claimed he didn’t know because the “funding allocation sits with Defence”.
“Why didn’t Minister Kirby bother to check the funding allocation for his portfolio before he fronted Estimates?
“Minister Kirby also couldn’t answer questions like:
- What essential goods and services are offered through the NT Concession Scheme to eligible veterans?
- How much is claimed each year by veterans as part of the NT Concessions Scheme?
- What is the funding allocation to the NT Concession Scheme for veterans each year?
- What happens to the money that is not claimed?
“Minister Kirby refused to say why there was no representation of the Fyles Labor Government – including himself – at the parade and cocktail reception commemorating the Battle of Binh Ba, which was held earlier this month on the lawns of parliament house.
“We question how the Minister can do his job, when he’s clearly oblivious to the funding provided by his government to the important Veterans’ Affairs portfolio,” said Mrs Boothby.
ENDS