Labor leaves veterans advocates out in the cold
Please find attached a media release from the Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, regarding Labor’s failure to open Round 15 funding applications under the Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) programme for 2013-14.
Regards,
RLI
Labor leaves veterans advocates out in the cold
The Gillard Labor Government is dragging its feet on funding guidelines to support veterans’ advocacy in the community under the Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) programme.
After slashing $4 million from the programme in 2011, this latest breach of goodwill with the veteran community will place a system already under significant strain even closer to breaking point.
Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, said Labor’s decision to slash funding two years ago was having a dramatic impact on the delivery of advocacy and independent advice to veterans wishing to make claims with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
“The Gillard Labor Government is trashing the very programmes which are meant to provide support to our veterans and their families in their time of need”, Senator Ronaldson said.
“Applications for BEST funding are usually called for by the end of February each year, with grants normally payable from 1 July. But two-thirds of the way through March and applications for Round 15 funding have not yet opened, nor have the new funding guidelines been released.”
“This is apparently due to the inaction and indecision of the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Warren Snowdon, who is again considering changing the guidelines, making the third major change to BEST funding in just three years.’
“Labor simply cannot be trusted with funding for veterans’ advocacy services. After cutting funding without warning or explanation and repeatedly changing the funding goalposts, the volunteer veteran advocacy network is at breaking point and needs assistance not hindrance if it is to survive.”
“Our largely volunteer veteran advocacy network is a bedrock element of our repatriation system. They provide independent advice and assistance with the preparation of claims paperwork and assist a veteran and their family navigate the complex web of entitlements available under the repatriation system.”
“Our system could not operate without our volunteer advocates and Labor’s decision to delay calling for funding applications for the next financial year is causing many advocates to consider whether they can continue to undertake this work for the future.”
“I call on Warren Snowdon to immediately release the new BEST funding guidelines and give our volunteers the support they need. Labor’s indecision over advocacy funding for our veterans and their families must end.”