Labor and the Greens have such misguided priorities they failed to scrutinise the chapter on Veterans Affairs in this week’s estimates’ hearing.
Labor and the Greens failed to ask a single question about veterans.
The Liberal Government is a strong supporter of our state’s 11,000 war veterans and ex-service personnel.
Unlike Labor and the Greens we have made veterans a priority and that’s why the State Budget delivered on our election promises to increase funding, including;
• Doubling the funding provided to the RSL State Branch, with an additional $100,000 each year over three years to assist with the ongoing operational costs and increased support of the veteran community;
• Establishing the Teddy Sheean Memorial Grants Program to offer $100,000 each year over three years to fund minor capital works at ex-service clubs and organisations;
• Offering $100,000 to assist in the maintenance and upgrade of Army, Navy and Air Force cadet infrastructure through the Cadet Infrastructure Grants Program;
• Providing $20,000 to RSL Tasmania to create a pilot program aimed at encouraging defence personnel to return to Tasmania when they discharge from the Australian Defence Force;
• Enabling the Claremont RSL to build a memorial at Windermere Bay with $45,000 in funding;
• Providing $230,000 to the Scottsdale RSL Military Museum to construct a hanger to display an Iroquois helicopter from the Vietnam War; and
• Assisting the Cygnet RSL to upgrade its car park with $5,000 in funding.
These initiatives are in addition to funding that already provides support for our RSLs and important memorials including the Centenary of ANZAC.
Labor and the Greens need to take a long hard look at themselves and review their priorities.
Guy Barnett, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier
