LOCAL VETERANS DESERVE WELL-BEING CENTRE
Riverina MP Michael McCormack says the establishment of a Veterans’ well-being centre in Wagga Wagga should be made a priority of the new Government.
Mr McCormack has met with the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Matt Keogh and Shadow Minister Barnaby Joyce to convey the importance of such a centre to the Wagga Wagga and wider Riverina region.
Mr McCormack again addressed the Parliament this morning to stress the urgency for a Veterans’ Well-Being Centre in Wagga Wagga and said supporting Veterans and their families in the local community should be high on the Government’s priority list.
“The latest Census data indicates there are more than 3,800 Veterans in the Riverina electorate of which 1,426 reside in Wagga Wagga – those figures do not include any family members who may also require support,” Mr McCormack said.
“All three arms of the Defence Force are in the regional city – the Home of the Soldier, Blamey Barracks at Kapooka, RAAF Base Wagga which also delivers training for the Royal Australian Navy.
“A strong support network needs to be made available for if and when they or their family members need it, which is why I have been fighting to establish a well-being facility.”
The previous Coalition Government committed $5 million towards establishing a Veteran Well-being Centre in Wagga Wagga, which was to be made available to all current and former serving Australian Defence Force members, including reservists, and their families.
“I will continue to advocate for this service for and on behalf of our Veterans and Defence personnel, who have served our country with distinction and pride, for if they need assistance with access to health and mental health support, help with finding work and transitioning out of military life,” Mr McCormack said.
“With the Federal Government investing $960 million into Defence facilities in Wagga Wagga through the Defence White Paper and the city already playing a significant role in our nation’s Defence programs, it only makes sense to invest in the people who will work and train in these facilities as well.”