SHAYNE NEUMANN MP  
SHADOW MINISTER FOR VETERANS’ AFFAIRS AND DEFENCE PERSONNEL  

MEMBER FOR BLAIR  

SUSAN TEMPLEMAN MP

MEMBER FOR MACQUARIE

An Albanese Labor Government will invest in the wellbeing of Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains veterans by establishing a $5 million one-stop-shop for specialised services in the region.

Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Shayne Neumann and Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman met with Windsor RSL Sub-Branch wellbeing advocate Bonnie Rieusset to hear her insight into the needs of veterans as they enter the civilian world. Also present was RSL NSW President Ray James.

“Labor pushed for a Royal Commission into veteran suicide and mental health issues, and dragged the Morrison Government kicking and screaming into that area,” Mr Neumann said.

“Sadly, since recent conflicts we have seen too many veterans take their own lives.

“That’s why we are making this commitment of $5 million for a Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury region veterans’ hub, because we want to make sure that this one-stop shop can provide support for veterans’ wellbeing with their transition from military to civilian life.

“We want to make sure that they can get wrap-around services locally, including mental health services and support for both young families and young veterans.”

Ms Templeman said local veterans would have substantial input into the development of the Veteran Wellbeing Centre, including on where it will be located.

“Bonnie has shared her experience of leaving the Defence Force and what she finds as she assists people in her role as wellbeing advocate – we’ve talked about what works and what could work better,” Ms Templeman said.

“I know every veteran and their close family members will have their own thoughts on this too, and, if we win the election, I will be seeking input from veterans, as well as current serving personnel and their families, about how we best support them.

“There are more than 2,000 veterans and their families living in Macquarie, one of the larger veteran populations in NSW, and many thousands of veterans across the wider Western Sydney region, yet there is a real gap in services in this area.