FUNDING CONTINUES FOR NATIONAL VETERANS’ ORGANISATIONS

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Bruce Billson, today announced $151,800 in funding to help thirteen national ex-service organisations better support Australia’s veteran community.

Mr Billson said the funding was made available through the Grants-in-Aid program which is administered by his Department.

"For more than 20 years, Grants-in-Aid has provided essential funding to national ex-service organisations in recognition of the vital services they provide to the veteran community," Mr Billson said.

"National ex-service organisations provide valuable support services and advice to the ex-service community to ensure veterans, war widows, widowers, and their dependents are receiving the support they are so rightly entitled to.

"They also advocate to the Government and my Department on behalf of their members to ensure we continue to maintain the high standard of services veterans currently receive from Australia’s repatriation system."

Mr Billson said today’s funding complemented the recent $3.5 million Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) grants announced in August and would go towards purchasing office equipment and a range of administrative costs to help the organisations serve the veteran community at the national level.

"The Australian Government continues to work in partnership with these organisations across Australia to meet the needs of the veteran and defence force communities," he said. 

"Ex-service and community organisations play an important role in caring for the veteran community and the Australian Government remains committed to supporting them in their work.

"Training and targeted funding is available through the Training and Information Program, and grants programs including BEST, Veteran and Community grants, and Grants-in-Aid."

Information on funding available to ex-service and community organisations is available at www.dva.gov.au. 

Media inquiries: Cameron Hill  0408 239 521
Editors note: a list of grant recipients is attached

Grants-in-Aid 2007 recipients

• The Australian Federation of Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (TPI) Ex-Servicemen and Women will receive a grant of $11,000 to help with administration of the Federation, including airfares and accommodation for visits to local veteran communities.

• The Returned & Services League (RSL) of Australia will receive a grant of $44,000 to help with the costs of information dissemination and advocacy on behalf of veterans.

• Legacy Co-ordinating Council will receive a grant of $11,000 to help with costs associated in administering the Legacy 2007 Conference.

• The Australian Members Committee World Veterans Federation will receive a grant of $3000 to help with travel and accommodation costs incurred in attending the World Veterans Federation Conference in Singapore in 2007.

• The Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Veterans’ Association will receive a grant of $8800 to help install a telecommunication system, and to help with consumable, travel and administrative costs.

• The Australian Veterans and Defence Services Council will receive a grant of $33,000 to help with salary costs, rent of premises, administrative and travel costs.

• The National Association of Extremely Disabled War Veterans will receive a grant of $6000 to help with the costs of travel and accommodation in attending the association’s 2007 annual general meeting and conference.

• The Naval Association of Australia will receive a grant of $2500 to help purchase a laptop computer, computer software and printer.

• The Regular Defence Force Welfare Association will receive a grant of $8000 to help employ the National Secretary position at the association.

• The Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia will receive a grant of $14,000 to help purchase computer software and fund administrative costs.

• The Partners of Veterans Association of Australia will receive a grant of $4000 to help upgrade the office computer equipment, help fund administrative costs and travel costs incurred in undertaking advocacy on behalf of members of the veteran community.

• The Vietnam Veterans’ Federation of Australia will receive a grant of $3500 to purchase an industrial paper shredder.

• The Australian Special Air Service Association will receive a grant of $3000 to help with the costs of the association’s annual general meeting.