Labor has scrapped a controversial planned $5000 cap on veterans’ allied health payments as crossbenchers push to prevent health entitlements from being limited in the future.

Following sustained criticism and campaigning from advocates, Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh announced on Thursday the government had backed down on the measure.

It had introduced a $5000 annual limit on allied health services for veterans to improve the budget’s bottom line, set to take effect from July 2027.

The proposal attracted widespread condemnation from across the parliament, with the coalition, Greens and crossbench all calling for Labor to dump the cap.

Keogh said the government “has a deep respect for our veterans who have, and who continue to serve our country”.

“Anyone who pulls on our nation’s uniform to serve in our name deserves nothing less,” he said.

“We have been consulting on this measure and we have heard from veterans there are concerns about this approach.

“We have been listening carefully and today, the government is taking the proposed $5000 threshold off the table.”

Veteran and Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie, alongside Greens senator David Shoebridge, successfully passed a bill in the upper house to stop any future cap from being imposed on health payments.

Lambie, who gave an emotional address about the healthcare barriers facing female veterans, hailed the win.

She urged veterans not to take out their anger on Keogh or the department, noting the work completed on implementing key reforms from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

“I have seen more movement in the last two years since that royal commission than what I have in the whole 10 years I’ve bloody been up here,” Lambie said.

“They are working hard, and there will there will be slips along the way, and that is my job to represent you guys up here.”

Shoebridge said there had been a “pile on” on Keogh, who had to deliver a $750,000,000 saving in his portfolio.

“If veterans are angry about this, and they should be, direct the anger at the people who made the decision,” he said.

“This is a Treasurer, Prime Minister decision.”

Opposition defence personnel spokesman Phillip Thompson became emotional as he welcomed the government’s decision, while calling on Keogh to resign and apologise.

“You need to listen to those that it will affect and the sad thing is, the minister didn’t do that,” he said.

“I know what it’s like to carry a coffin. I know what it’s like when your friends are no longer,” he said as tears welled in his eyes.

Fair Care for Veterans spokesman John Armfield, a former Navy clearance diver, thanked Keogh for dumping the cap.

“This is what happens when a government listens to veterans,” he said.

“The Minister says he wants to keep talking to veterans and providers. We welcome that, and we’ll be there. We’ll also make sure whatever comes next doesn’t bring the cap back under another name.”

Lifeline 131 114

Open Arms 1800 011 046

-AAP