Wednesday, 13 November 2024

Ministers statements: Veterans Card Victoria

Natalie SULEYMAN (St Albans – Minister for Veterans, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Youth) (14:22): I rise today to update the house on how the Veterans Card Victoria is helping veterans with the cost of living. This week thousands of Victorians gathered at Remembrance Day services across the state to remember the courage and sacrifice of our veterans. I want to thank the Shrine of Remembrance and all RSLs across Victoria, whose volunteers work hard to put on events every year.

Victoria is proudly home to over 100,000 veterans, and we owe them our gratitude for their service. Victoria leads the way when it comes to our tailored programs that assist veterans to transition into civilian life and into good, secure jobs. We are the first and only government to offer a veterans card to every single veteran to assist with the cost of living. Since the launch of the veterans card we have seen more than 18,000 veterans sign up. This means veterans are making savings on expenses such as car rego, fishing licences and much, much more.

But we have got much more work to do, and we want every veteran in Victoria to sign up and save. Our veterans have done so much for our state and our country, and they continue to give back to their communities well after service. Whether you have served a day or had a long career in the defence force, in Victoria we are here to help with the cost of living. To all our veterans: the Allan Labor government will continue to honour your service and sacrifice, supporting you in your local communities on cost of living, education and finding a good, secure job – for veterans, for families and for all Victorians.