The Federal Govt recently launched the Veterans Card hoping hoping to win brownie points from everyone. Whilst the card, covenant and lapel pin are nice recognition, it is supposed to include great discounts from hundreds of Australian businesses. So most veterans were expecting to see a simple list of businesses to be listed on the Dept of Veterans Affairs (DVA) website (at minimal cost to taxpayers). However, many veterans are now very upset that the Govt has done a secret deal with a private company to run it: Everyday Savers Pty Ltd trading as Australian Partners of Defence (APOD). Members are expected to join APOD and it is believed that APOD will earn fees when veterans redeem discounts online and pre-pay by credit card. Regretably, most discounts are disappointing and many require the veteran to pre-purchase a $100 gift voucher to receive a pathetic $2.50 discount. This APOD partnership with the Federal Govt needs to be reversed as it is envisaged that this partnership may cost veterans and taxpayers dearly. It is also too difficult for many older veterans to use, especially if they do not have access to the internet. To support this petition please write to your local federal member and the Minister for Veteran Affairs, Darren Chester. In the meantime, I suggest all 33,000 of us boycott APOD and just ask for a "veterans discount" at every business you visit. Even if a business does not usually give a "veterans discount", most will if asked. There are 33,000 of us veteran about to receive a Veterans Card so let us use our strength in numbers. For more discussion from veterans visit the face book group page "Australian Veterans Card Support Group"