Wednesday, 4 October 2023

Veterans support

Alison MARCHANT (Bellarine) (19:10): (356) My adjournment is to the Minister for Veterans, Minister Suleyman, and the action I seek is that the minister joins me in visiting the veteran community in my electorate of Bellarine to see firsthand how the Allan Labor government is investing in projects that support veterans and their families. I am very fortunate to have several active RSLs in my electorate, and regional RSLs like the Queenscliff, Drysdale, Ocean Grove–Barwon Heads and Portarlington– St Leonards sub-branches are all an important part of our community. They are central hubs for veterans and their families to meet and connect with each other and to access support and services.

When I was last at the Queenscliff RSL I met a new group called the Bellarine Young Veterans, who are creating an incredible supportive environment for our younger veterans, and it was terrific camaraderie that they had within the group. The Drysdale RSL sub-branch also has active members across the growing Drysdale and Clifton Springs area, and there is continued growth of this sub-branch with support from this government with the veterans capital works grant. This ensures that RSLs such as theirs can continue to grow and do the essential work that they support their veterans and families in the community with. Veterans and their families have made and will continue to make a significant contribution to our state and our nation, and funding such as the veterans capital works grant is just one way that this government is saying thank you and honouring the service of our veterans. I would be pleased to welcome the minister to visit my community in the Bellarine and see firsthand our government’s investment into our regional veterans communities.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I remind members to only use correct titles.