Tuesday, 16 May 2023

 Ryan BATCHELOR (Southern Metropolitan) (13:35): (156) My question is to the Minister for Veterans and relates to the veterans card: can the minister outline who in the Southern Metropolitan Region is eligible for the card and how they apply? Anzac Day every year is always an important reminder to all of us of the contribution that veterans make both while they are serving in uniform and once they transition back to civilian life. Victoria is home to more than 100,000 veterans, and it was a pleasure to meet so many at Anzac Day services in Southern Metro. I attended services in Beaumaris, Hampton and Elwood on and around Anzac Day. Our veterans give so much back to our community, from their service in the ADF to their volunteer work to getting involved in disaster relief efforts, particularly after the recent flooding that impacted our state. We know that veterans sometimes need support to continue to succeed, and the Andrews Labor government has committed to introducing a veterans card in July this year, the first of its kind in Australia. It is clearly going to assist many veterans throughout our community, and I look forward to finding out how it can help those in the Southern Metropolitan Region.