Media release – 29 April 2025
We welcome an election campaign announcement from the Coalition, pledging $5 million over four years to expand our programs and services for the families of Australian veterans.
This funding promise recognises the critical role families play in supporting Australia’s defence capability. With more than 700,000 families in Australia managing the impacts of defence service, this investment will enable the Guild to extend trauma-informed casework, wellbeing activities, peer support, and career development opportunities to more veteran families.
Tricia Hobson, Chair of the Board for the Families of Veterans Guild, said, “A stronger, more sustainable and resilient defence and veteran community cannot be achieved without supporting the families of veterans. Families are the backbone of our Defence Force, and we strongly urge the current Government to match this commitment.”
Pru Vasey-Bennett, great-niece of the Guild’s founder Jessie Vasey CBE OBE, added, “For almost 80 years, the Guild has been grounded in the belief that no family should bear the burden of service alone. ANZAC Day is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by both veterans and their families. Ensuring lifelong support is available to veteran families is fundamental to honouring the service of every veteran.”
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide shone a light on the gaps in the veteran support system. It demonstrated that families face a myriad of challenges due to their loved ones’ service and are left to navigate a complex system with little support. The Commission marked the first time Australia has formally acknowledged the sacrifices made by veteran families, making it clear that to truly address the needs of veterans, we must also invest in supporting and meaningfully engaging their families. We know that when veteran families do well, veterans also do well.
The Guild is working with the Labor party to obtain a matched funding commitment that will ensure Australia keeps its promise to acknowledge those who sacrifice so much for our nation’s peace and security.
How you can join our call to match this commitment
The election commitment from the Coalition is significant. It is the first time that an initiative that solely benefits families is being acknowledged and a commitment to funding for this group has been made. This is more than just a funding commitment, it is also a commitment to changing the 100-year-old model of care for defence and veteran families in Australia. A significant change and one that is long over-due.
While we are working hard to seek a matched commitment from the Labor party, there is limited time left and we could use your help. How can you help?
- Email the Minister for Veterans Affairs
- Email your local Federal Member and State Senators
- Email us with your support and we will forward
- Post your support on social media and tag your local federal members, State Senators and the Minister for Veterans Affairs
- Communicate this release to local media outlets
When we work together, we can achieve great things.
