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Defence health delays under fire

Posted August 20, 2008 10:29:00

The Australian Defence Association (ADA) says Australia is behind other developed countries when it comes to offering free health and dental care to the families of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel.

Federal Defence Science and Personnel Minister Warren Snowdon yesterday admitted it may be some time before the Government keeps its election promise of providing free health and dental care to defence families in Townsville in north Queensland.

ADA executive director Neil James says many developed nations have been looking after soldiers' families for years.

"We're certainly behind it when you compare it to many countries ... the United States, for example, even retired Defence personnel get health care provided at military facilities," he said.

Tags: defence-forces, federal-government, townsville-4810

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