Tehan Media Release – Prioritising support for Australia’s veterans

24 Nov 2016

Dan Tehan

The issue of veterans’ homelessness will be a focus of discussions when Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan hosts his state and territory counterparts in Canberra today and tomorrow.

The inaugural Veterans Ministers’ Roundtable delivers a Federal Government election commitment to bring state and territory ministers together to tackle veterans’ issues.
“The Government places the highest priority on ensuring veterans and their families have the support they need, when they need it,” Mr Tehan said.

“Discussions will focus on the important issue of veterans’ homelessness and this meeting is an opportunity to explore improving the services provided to veterans and identify best practice.”

The Federal Government has commissioned research into veterans’ homelessness that will develop estimates of the number of veterans accessing homeless services, the factors that cause homelessness and the experiences of homeless veterans. The research will be completed by the end of 2017.

“The Ministers will also discuss mental health, suicide, incarceration, vocational rehabilitation, employment and transitioning from the military to civilian life,” Mr Tehan said.

“Everyone attending these discussions has the best interests of our veterans at heart and I am confident this first roundtable meeting will produce results that make a difference for our veteran community.”

Media enquiries:
Minister Tehan’s Office: Byron Vale, 0428 262 894
Department of Veterans’ Affairs Media: 02 6289 6203

Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) can be reached 24 hours a day across Australia for crisis support and free and confidential counselling. Phone 1800 011 046 (international: +61 8 8241 45 46). VVCS is a service founded by Vietnam veterans.