TASMANIAN veterans, their families and interested community members will be able to have their say on how they are supported into the future as part of the feasibility study looking at an integrated, nationally connected service for the state.
Federal Minister for Veterans' Affairs Darren Chester announced today that the University of Tasmania would lead the feasibility study into the potential for a localised health and wellbeing support service for veterans and their families in Tasmania.
"The University of Tasmania will be engaging with veterans, their families and interested community members across the state to undertake this important research to understand what services are available to veterans and their families in Tasmania," Mr Chester said.
"They will also look at what service gaps there may be and the best way to provide long-term benefits to the veteran community through a potential new service model, including implementation.
"The findings from this study will assist the Australian Government to make future decisions by providing a better understanding of veteran's changing needs and service delivery in Tasmania.
"I thank and acknowledge the Tasmanian Government and Mr Barnett for their commitment to veterans and their families. I also thank the Member for Braddon and Army veteran Mr Gavin Pearce MP, and Member for Bass Mrs Bridget Archer MP who have both strongly advocated for veterans and their families in Tasmania."
The Australian Government and the Tasmanian Government jointly invested $120,000 in this study and will shortly be inviting veterans and their families, and interested community members to have their say on how they can be best supported across the state moving forward.
Tasmanian Minister for Veterans' Affairs Guy Barnett welcomed the announcement and said the Tasmanian Government is contributing $60 000 to the study.
"This is great news and confirms our strong support for Tasmania's veterans," Minister Barnett said.
"I encourage veterans, ex-serving organisations and other interested stakeholders to have their say and help shape the provision of services to Tasmania's veterans.
"We thank the Australian Government and Minister Chester for their leadership and commitment in supporting Tasmania's veterans and their families."
The consultation process will also seek the views of the community with respect to the support needs of first responders, noting the respective funding responsibilities of the State and Federal Government.
This study builds upon the six Veteran Wellbeing Centres that are already being established across Australia by the Federal Government to support veterans and their families with connected and coordinated local services.
