Thursday, 3 August 2023

Veterans support

Luba GRIGOROVITCH (Kororoit) (17:15): (274) The adjournment I wish to raise is for the Minister for Veterans. The action I seek is for the minister to join me and members at the Caroline Springs RSL to outline how the Andrews government is delivering on its election commitment to make sure that veterans in Victoria get the support that they need.

Earlier this year I had the pleasure of being amongst the many veterans in Kororoit at the Anzac Day ceremonies in both Aintree and Caroline Springs. I have listened to the many stories the veterans and their families share of their own experiences during their service but also their experiences when they return to civilian life. We know that sometimes returning to civilian life after a career in the defence force can be a challenge and that sometimes veterans need a helping hand to make that transition successful. Victoria is home to more than 100,000 veterans, but we know that a large number of them are not currently connected to any existing veteran concession scheme. That is why the Andrews Labor government has introduced a veterans card – the first of its kind in Australia. This is a separate card to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs card, and there are no concession levels. It is one card for all veterans living in Victoria, and it is simple to sign up and to start saving. Whether you have served a day or been on multiple deployments, every veteran who calls Victoria home will be entitled to a Veterans Card Victoria. This is a way to recognise their service and give our veterans cost-of-living relief through discounts on car registration and trailer and caravan registrations, free fishing licences and access to Victorian government employment programs. I am very proud of the dedication and commitment that Minister Suleyman has shown our veterans, not only in Melbourne’s west but across all of Victoria. I invite the minister to come and join me for morning tea at the Caroline Springs RSL and outline how this Labor government is supporting veterans.