SUPPORTING OUR VETERANS

Guy Barnett MP, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs

The Tasmanian Liberal Government is continuing its support for Tasmania’s Veterans’ community through this year’s Budget, with $2.7 million for initiatives under the Veterans output group including supporting RSL Tasmania, the Teddy Sheean VC Memorial Grants Program and Veterans’ Wellbeing Vouchers.

RSL Tasmania provides a pivotal role in supporting veterans and ex-service personnel and their families.

The Government is committed to continuing to support RSL Tasmania as the peak body for Tasmanian veterans.

We are also continuing to provide $50,000 per annum over the next three years to RSL Tasmania for projects that help it improve service delivery.

We must also ensure we remember the service and sacrifice of our current and past service personnel.

The Government has extended funding for the Teddy Sheean VC Memorial Grants Program with $100,000 per annum until the end of 2024-2025. To date, 104 projects have been supported with funding, and a further grant round will be opened in coming months.

The Government is also continuing its support for the Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize, the Annual State Reception for Tasmanian service personnel who have deployed overseas on operations with the Australian Defence Force, and the important work of Hobart and Launceston Legacy.

We have an obligation as a community to protect veterans’ wellbeing.

We are developing a Veteran Employment Strategy for Tasmania, with targets for public sector employment, which will complement support provided by the Department of Defence.

And in 2021-22 we launched the Veterans’ Wellbeing Voucher Program with funding of $200,000 over four years, helping improve the health and wellbeing of Tasmania’s veterans with a saving on gym or sports club fees.

Tasmania has a long and distinguished history of military service. Our veterans’ service and sacrifice has helped make this nation what it is today and is deserving of our recognition and support.