A re-elected Tasmanian Liberal Government will partner with RSL Tasmania to build additional crisis and transitional housing for veterans, right across the State.
Our $1.8 million investment, matching the Commonwealth's $1.8 million commitment under the Veterans' Acute Housing Program, will provide RSL Tasmania with $3.6 million to deliver additional homes that meets the needs of veterans and their families experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.
The new homes will be delivered under RSL Tasmania's Veterans' Acute Housing Program, which provides transitional accommodation for veterans for up to two years.
Homes Tasmania will work with RSL Tasmania to deliver the new homes, which will be funded from their existing Budget.
Importantly, it will also be supported by wraparound Veteran services provided by VeteranHub, further supporting our veterans and their families and allowing services to be delivered where they are most needed.
This builds on the commitments made in our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future - at last year's State election and reiterated in both our 2024-25 and 2025-26 Budgets, which Labor and the Greens did not support.
In addition to this $1.8 million investment, our 2025-26 Budget locks in more than $4 million to better support Veterans around Tasmania with commitments including:
- Funding for RSL Tasmania, as the peak body for Veterans;
- Funding to continue delivering our Veterans Employment Strategy 2023-27, to promote positive employment outcomes for veterans and to ensure their skills and experiences are valued by the wider community;
- Funding to continue the Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize, and the Cameron Baird VC MG Scholarship.
- Funding to continue the Teddy Sheean VC Memorial Grants program, which provides funds to Tasmanian ex-service organisations and clubs for works, equipment purchases and welfare initiatives for veterans;
- Our Veteran Wellbeing Voucher Program to support veterans' health and wellbeing across the State; and
- $240,000 for Hobart and Launceston Legacy.
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is more committed than ever to supporting our Veterans and RSL Tasmania, and this will bring our total investment to almost $6 million, more than any other Tasmanian Government in history.
We will also work with RSL Tasmania as a strategic partner in the implementation of the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, to ensure Veteran-led and community-informed approaches.
Only a re-elected Liberal Government will implement a practical, meaningful package of veteran support that will deliver measurable benefits to thousands of veterans and ex-serving personnel, to deliver better life outcomes for them and their families.
