The break from tradition in avoiding public holidays has helped veterans get their issues on the election agenda, with pledges and claims flowing as ANZAC Day approaches.
The Coalition committed $5 million at an event yesterday to establish a new Veterans’ and Families’ Hub in Bathurst and $5 million to expand the Veterans’ Wellbeing Centre in Dubbo.
“The Royal Commission found the Hubs fill a critical gap in supporting veterans, with the establishment of them considered a positive recent development,” Nationals Leader David Littleproud said.
“They will deliver integrated support to veterans and families, by improving access to local services such as wellbeing, advocacy, employment and housing advice, social connection and physical and mental health.”
Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Barnaby Joyce, said the new Hub in Bathurst and the expansion of the Veterans’ Wellbeing Centre in Dubbo will provide services in-situ for those in the region and surrounds.
“So often help is lost because of the extra requirements for veterans possibly dealing with issues for which they deserve support, can’t access the help to make life a little easier,” Mr Joyce said.
The Nationals candidate for Parkes Jamie Chaffey said the Dubbo RSL Sub-Branch has been committed to the establishment of a centre in Dubbo.
“This announcement will make a significance difference to the services already available for veterans and their families,” Mr Chaffey said.
“With ANZAC day fast approaching, we must never forget the sacrifices made by our local veterans – and always act to ensure that they and their families have the support they deserve.
“This investment will not only provide further support for veterans in Dubbo but a regional base for surrounding areas. Support services like today’s announcement will build on the support already available for veterans. There is no doubt more work needs to be done, but it’s a start.”
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton also pledged to spend $21 billion over the next five years on defence, lifting the outlay to 2.5 per cent of Australia’s gross domestic product, spruiking his credentials in defence in last night’s debate.
The level of defence spending as a percentage of Australia’s economy would then rise further to three per cent within the decade. While the coalition said it would use the money to reinstate a fourth joint strike fighter squadron, it did not say where else the funding would go.
Meanwhile the Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) is asking all political parties to commit to improving access to quality, fee-free advocates to assist veterans and their families navigate the complex processes involved in accessing compensation and wellbeing support from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA).
RSL Australia National President Greg Melick said this requires an increase in the number of fee-free veteran claims and wellbeing advocates to meet the growing shortage and funding for ex-service organisation (ESO) paid advocates.
“RSL Australia is the largest ex-service organisation providing fee-free advocacy services. Support with DVA claims is one of the most highly accessed services the RSL offers, and our national advocacy system is under pressure,” Greg Melick said.
“We need improved training for advocates, regulations to ensure a consistent, ethical and fair service for veterans, and more funding for ESOs to fund salaries for new advocates.”
“The RSL is calling on the incoming Government to ensure that every veteran can access fee-free advocacy services, which are vital for securing the support they need from the DVA in promoting their health and wellbeing.”
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide recommended that DVA funds ESO paid advocates and as one of its five key election asks, the RSL is urging full support and implementation of this critical initiative.
And the Commonwealth Public Sector Union (CPSU) is highlighting that services to veterans will be negatively affected by the coalition’s plans to axe public servants, saying that just in the electorate of New England, there are almost 2,000 veterans and their families who will suffer as a result.
The Opposition has so far remained tight lipped about where cuts would come from, have said that the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the Department of Health and the Department of Education are all on the chopping block.
“Cuts to public services will have devastating consequences for millions of Australians, including the almost 2,000 veterans who live in the New England electorate,” CPSU National Secretary Melissa Donnelly said.
“Unfortunately, we have seen exactly how this plays out. Under the last Coalition Government, jobs in the Department of Veterans’ Affairs were cut and outsourced, leaving veterans lost in a backlog of almost 42,000 claims.”
“Veterans were left waiting years for support they desperately needed and not getting it had devastating consequences,” she said.
“Peter Dutton’s plan to gut public services will take us straight back to these delays and backlogs.”
“These veterans have bravely served our country and they, and their families, deserve to know that they can access vital support when and where they need it.”
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