RSLWA Veteran Central support

THE Returned & Services League of Australia WA Branch Incorporated (RSLWA) is pleased to have received bipartisan support ahead of the Federal Election for the construction of the game-changing ANZAC House Veteran Central facility.

RSLWA Chief Executive Officer John McCourt said the announcements by both the Federal Coalition and Federal Labor to commit $5 million toward the completion of the Perth-based Veteran Central facility was a big boost for Veterans in Western Australia.

This commitment comes after the most welcome support from Lotterywest of $4.6 million toward the construction of Veteran Central at the corner of St Georges Terrace and Pier Street in the Perth CBD.

“Veteran Central will be an innovative, and very practical, approach to providing services to Veterans and their families in a truly collaborative and holistic manner,” Mr McCourt said.

“This is the most forward-thinking initiative in many decades in providing better support to Veterans and their families by Ex-Service Organisations and other service providers by collaborating in order to do things better together.

“The construction of ANZAC House is a $30 million project that will see the new facility operational by June next year. A major fundraising program called Help Our Heroes will soon be launched to not only support the build but to also develop programs to look after the needs of our valued Veterans.

Mr McCourt said that it was indeed pleasing that, irrespective of political beliefs, Veterans were valued and respected.

“RSLWA appreciates the support of Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Labor Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, Veterans Affairs Minister Darren Chester and Shadow Veterans Affairs Minister Amanda Rishworth, as well as WA Premier Mark McGowan and State Veterans Issues Minister Peter Tinley.