Media release: WA Labor’s funding boost to support WA’s Veterans
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$5.63 million package to support Veterans and their families
- $430,000 commitment towards support dogs for Veterans and first-responders suffering PTSD
- An additional $1 million boost on top of the current $300,000 per annum through State Government
- Premier will restore traditional ANZAC Day services in WA as a top priority if re-elected
A re-elected McGowan Labor Government will significantly increase its annual allocation to the ANZAC Day Trust Fund by $1 million each year, building on the current $300,000 in funding to support Veterans and their families.
The boost to the ANZAC Day Trust Grants Program means more funding will be provided to ex-service organisations to support the welfare of Western Australia’s Veteran community and their families including transitioning from defence into civilian life.
Ex-service organisations working on the front lines, such as LegacyWA and RSLWA, will now have the capacity to expand their existing support programs, create new ones, and look beyond single-year funding cycles. This commitment will secure this funding for four years.
The Premier has also outlined one of his immediate top priorities is to welcome back traditional ANZAC Day services in WA, including the Dawn Service at Kings Park.
WA Labor will also invest $430,000 to train up to 20 specialist support dogs for Veterans and first responders suffering PTSD, which will significantly bolster the capacity for these highly trained canine guardians to support our Veterans in need here in WA.
The commitment will enable a provider to offer intensive training, of between six to 12 months, to give the dogs, trainers and handlers the best of support, to undertake the Public Access Test and to assess dogs’ suitability accessing public spaces.
Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:
“I value our Veterans and the contribution they make to our community.
“From my time in the Navy, I know how important it is that we continue to support our Veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country.
“It’s only right that we do everything we can to support our Veterans, particularly by funding effective programs that support mental health as well as employment transition from the defence force into civilian life.
“The additional 20 service dogs will be a huge support to our service men and women who need it the most.
“If re-elected I also want to prioritise ensuring our traditional ANZAC Day services are restored and we’ll be working closely with the RSLWA as we know they are also as keen for it to occur.
“Getting back to our traditional ANZAC Day services is a significant step, it’s symbolic of us returning to normality and getting things closer to where they were before COVID hit.
“The traditional dawn service at Kings Park is hugely significant in how we remember those who have fallen for us – however last year we started the new ANZAC Day tradition of the driveway dawn service, which still stands out for me, and I hope it continues.”
What the McGowan Labor Government has already delivered:
- Invested $4.5 million to assist RSLWA establish ANZAC House and implement their Veterans Central Hub in the heart of the CBD.
- Delivered more than $1 million in funding to Western Australian ex-service organisations for recognition and support programs for Veterans and their families, through the ANZAC Day Trust Fund.
- Established the Defence Industry Employment Scheme providing 20 scholarships a year for recently discharged Veterans looking to retrain and enter our local Defence Industries.
- Developed the Western Australia Veteran and Families Strategy providing a broad framework to guide policies and initiatives that support Veterans and their families.
- Continued support for ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day and all significant memorial services, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown.
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