Cranbourne electorate
Ms RICHARDS (Cranbourne) (14:46): (6349) My constituency question is to the Minister for Veterans. What actions and programs is the state delivering to support young and recent veterans and their families in the Cranbourne electorate? As the minister is aware, some returning young veterans and their families face unique challenges in their physical and mental health, employment, homelessness and loneliness. While we are aware that the primary responsibility for Australian veterans and their families lies with the commonwealth, I am very happy that our Victorian government is active in the veterans portfolio. During my attendance at the recent Anzac Day parade and ceremony—and I would like to pay credit to the Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL—at the Cranbourne war memorial recently I realised there were many veterans’ families and members of the Cranbourne community who have a stake in the support available and accessible to our young veterans. I was pleased to speak of the Anzac story and its enduring impact on service women and men in our community, and I was invited by fellow speakers to reflect on the urgency and immediacy of veterans issues. I look forward to the response.