LNP’S VETERANS’ AFFAIRS POLICY A BOOST FOR TOOWOOMBA
- A Tim Nicholls LNP Government will deliver Queensland’s first Veterans’ Affairs Policy.
- The LNP plan will improve services and provide more opportunities for our retired military personnel and include Queensland’s first Minister for Veterans’ Affairs.
- By properly Honouring Our Veterans, the LNP will build a better Queensland by creating more jobs, building stronger families and providing liveable communities.
A Tim Nicholls-led Liberal National Government will provide improved services, more opportunities and stronger representation for our retired servicemen and servicewomen as part of our plan to build a better Queensland.
Liberal National Party Member for Toowoomba North, Trevor Watts said the comprehensive plan is a Queensland first and aims to assist ex-ADF personnel transitioning back into civilian life.
“Queensland is home to almost 50,000 veterans (more than any other state) and I know many in Toowoomba have been calling out for a state-based policy,” Mr Watts said.
“If an LNP Government is elected at the next state election, Queensland will lead Australia in the recognition of and assistance we provide former ADF Members.”
Mr Watts said he LNP’s comprehensive plan would build better services and better communities by helping veterans in Toowoomba in five key ways.
“We will appoint a Minister for Veterans responsible for leading strategies aimed at ensuring that State Government services are better targeted to this group. This could include initiatives such as delivering a veterans’ homelessness strategy,” Mr Watts said.
“We will commit to a public service veterans target to increase the number of ex-ADF personnel working in the public service and provide proper recognition of their military training and how that fits into roles within the Queensland Government.
“This will see more veterans working in the Queensland public service, with their extensive skills, training and experience ensuring we deliver better government.
“We will appoint a senior representative in the public service as the Veterans’ Champion to mentor and establish a network of veterans in the public service. We will also make sure Queensland Government job websites are updated to provide more information to ex-ADF personnel about the jobs that best link to their skill set.
“We will create a $2 million Veterans Transition Grants Program, for ex-service and defence welfare organisations to access and fund programs that help veterans to transition back into civilian life and another career after leaving the Defence Force.
“We will also make the Queensland Veterans’ Advisory Council a permanent fixture of a future LNP Government.”
Mr Watts said veterans had a unique skill-set to make them ideal employees.
“Veterans work well in a team, have a sense of duty, they’re organised and disciplined, adaptable, problem solvers and have a strong work ethic and that is why it is great the LNP has developed this policy to help veterans transition from military to civilian life,” Mr Watts said.
“There is no question the transition from military to civilian life can be challenging especially when it comes to employment.”