BRENDAN O’CONNOR MP  
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE  
MEMBER FOR GORTON

MADELEINE KING MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR TRADE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR RESOURCES
MEMBER FOR BRAND

SHAYNE NEUMANN MP  
SHADOW MINISTER FOR VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
AND DEFENCE PERSONNEL  
MEMBER FOR BLAIR  

FEDERAL LABOR IS BACKING OUR WA VETERANS AND DEFENCE PERSONNEL

An Albanese Labor Government will invest in defence personnel and veterans in Western Australia by providing $5 million in funding for a new Veteran Wellbeing Centre south of Perth.

The new South West Veterans’ Hub in the Brand electorate will be a one-stop shop for veterans and their families to access assistance from government, health services, ex-service organisations and community groups.

Integrated services and support at the facility will include medical and allied health services, mental health support, advocacy with Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) claims, employment advice, and social connection.

The centre will be a family-friendly space, and provide support to younger WA veterans and their families, bringing together critical services under one roof.

It will also support current service men and women and their families, and help them as they transition from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to civilian life.

This vital service will be available to around 10,000 current and former ADF personnel and their families across Perth’s southern suburbs.

There are some 4,400 ADF members and their families located near Garden Island, along with some 5,500 veterans and their families in Rockingham and the surrounding area.

The key to veterans’ hubs is listening to the local community to design a service that works for them.

An Albanese Labor Government will work with the local defence and veteran community to determine an appropriate lead organisation, location and service model for the centre.

This $5 million announcement underscores Federal Labor’s commitment to providing practical support for our WA defence personnel and veterans and their families. 

The Morrison-Joyce Government has botched the roll-out of the six Veteran Wellbeing Centres they promised at the last election, with only three delivered so far and the remaining three a full two years behind schedule.

Only Labor is on the side of Australia’s ex-service men and women. Only Labor has a plan to fix our broken veteran support system, and give our veterans and families the services they deserve.