More funding for veterans’ support
The DVA has announced $4 million of funding for ex-service organisations and the minister has pledged to reviewing the grant program.
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) has announced that it will provide $4 million to help veterans and their families to access entitlements and to connect with government and community services.
The funding will be distributed to almost 200 ex-services organisations (ESOs) across the country as part of the Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) grant program.
“The Australian Government supports the vital work of ESOs, and funding from the BEST program helps them deliver services to around 400,000 veterans and their partners, war widows and widowers around Australia,” said Veterans’ Affairs Minister, Alan Griffin.
Mr Griffin added that this round of funding is particularly important because the veteran community is changing rapidly as a result of the ageing population.
“ESOs provide key pension and welfare assistance to individuals and families, and it is important that we help them adjust to the shifting needs of the ex-service community,” he said.
“Concerns have been raised about the current program and there is a requirement to adjust to changing needs into the future. The Government therefore intends to review the BEST program.
“I will be consulting ESOs and other stakeholders in the coming months to ensure the needs of the veteran community are being effectively met through this funding.”
The minister will write to all the organisations that applied for funding under the BEST program.
