FUNDING FOR VETERANS IN PATERSON

Veterans and their families in Paterson will benefit from Federal Government funding to assist vital veterans’ advocacy work, Federal Member for Paterson, Bob Baldwin said today.

Mr Baldwin said five organisations in Paterson would receive a grant under the Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) programme.

“I congratulate Dungog, Forster Tuncurry, Karuah, Maitland and Medowie RSL Sub-branches on their successful applications”, Mr Baldwin said.

“The BEST programme assists local veterans’ organisations to provide pension advice and welfare assistance to veterans, ex-service people and their families.

“Our ex-service organisations provide critical assistance to veterans and their families.  They are a bed-rock element of Australia’s repatriation system.”

The following organisations in Paterson will receive:

RSL Sub-branch       Funding        Funding for:

Dungog                    $5232           Travel, internet access and consumables

Forster Tuncurry     $2160           Internet access, software, travel and consumables

Karuah                     $1499           Internet access, consumables and running costs

Maitland                 $2100           Internet access, consumables and running costs

Medowie                 $569             Consumables

Mr Baldwin said the Gillard Labor Government was presently reviewing funding arrangements.

“The Review of Veterans’ Advocacy Funding was released ahead of the election.  It proposed some tough decisions.  I call on the Gillard Labor Government finalise the funding review to provide additional certainty to veterans in our local community, and right across Australia.

“I congratulate the organisations which have been successful in receiving a BEST grant.  I would be happy to assist any veterans’ organisation to access funding from the Australian Government.”