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The family of an Australian war hero will continue to access their taxpayer-funded travel assistance despite a review of the guidelines for such payments.
Victoria Cross recipient Cameron Baird was first deployed to Afghanistan in 2007. After Mr Baird was killed in action in 2013, he was awarded the military’s highest honour posthumously.
His parents, Doug and Kaye Baird, have since toured the country to share his story of sacrifice to generations of Australians and attend commemorative events.
The entitlement funding this travel was provided by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs under a commonwealth funding commitment to Victoria Cross recipients.
Last week, Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh announced an independent review of the DVA’s guidelines on Victoria Cross recipients’ travel entitlements.
But Mr Keogh said in a Tuesday statement the Baird family would continue to receive their entitlements, regardless of the review’s outcome.
“A review into Victoria Cross travel entitlements – to ensure taxpayers’ money is being spent appropriately and consistently – will be run by Ray Griggs, the former vice chief of the Defence Force and former secretary of the Department of Social Services,” Mr Keogh said.
“But the government can confirm that existing arrangements will be grandfathered, meaning the Baird family will not lose access to government-funded travel.”
Opposition veterans’ affairs spokesman Michael McCormack told Sky News the “right decision had prevailed”.
He described Mr Baird as a “hero” who sacrificed his life to protect the country.
“His parents’ travel entitlements shouldn’t be wrapped up in bureaucracy,” Mr McCormack said.
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