A new Prisoner of War (POW) Recognition Supplement will provide former POWs with an extra $500 per fortnight in recognition of their special service and sacrifice.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the payment acknowledges the severe hardship suffered by our former POWs.
POWs were particularly subjected to horrific conditions and many returned home with physical and psychological scars that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
The Minister for Veteran's Affairs Warren Snowdon said the new payment was an important initiative to show our gratitude and respect to these worthy Australians.
“We have all seen the footage and heard the stories of our diggers in POW camps.
“The way they looked out for their mates while in these camps reflects the Aussie spirit we are all so proud of,” Mr Snowdon said.
Twenty-one former POWs from the Second World War and Korean War joined the Prime Minister and the Minister for Veteran's affairs at Kirribilli House for the announcement.
The new supplement will apply from September 2011 and is in addition to current benefits available to former POWs.
The measure will be funded in the 2011-12 Federal Budget and will cost $27.2 million over the next four years.