RSL NSW welcomes veteran services boost
RSL NSW welcomes the Australian Government’s commitment to establishing an additional eight Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs across the country, announced in last night’s Budget. The $46.7 million commitment includes funding for four new Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs to be established in locations with significant defence and veteran communities in New South Wales.
The Treasurer also announced additional investment in staff and technology for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to eliminate the claims backlog and administrative improvements in claims processing systems.
RSL NSW will support its partner charity RSL LifeCare, the operator of the only DVA-funded Hub in NSW, to expand its network and bid to operate new Hubs in Queanbeyan, the Hawkesbury, Hunter, and on the Tweed/North Coast, in collaboration with local veterans and their communities, and other ex-service organisations and service providers. Its network of over 320 RSL sub-Branches connects veteran communities to the Hubs.
RSL NSW President Ray James said veteran communities have witnessed the benefits of these Hubs in action since the Nowra and Riverina Veteran Wellbeing Centres (now referred to as Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs) were established, and that RSL NSW and RSL LifeCare have a strong business case to support how the organisations can operate the centres using their combined resources.
“RSL NSW welcomes this funding commitment for one reason; we know Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs work,” Mr James said.
“Since 2021, RSL NSW sub-Branches have donated over $5.2 million to RSL LifeCare to support the ongoing delivery of services to veterans and their families and I welcome the commitment from the Australian Government to expand the Veterans’ and Families’ Hub network.
“RSL NSW and RSL LifeCare are uniquely positioned to operate Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs in New South Wales without the need to for recurrent government funding.”
The Nowra and Riverina Veteran Wellbeing Centres are aligned to the DVA Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs Network and offer a full suite of critical services to veterans and their families including employment, homelessness and housing support, physical and mental wellbeing services, financial assistance, and DVA claim advocacy.
