STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Mr GEE (Calare) (13:30): I rise today to voice the disappointment of the Central West veteran community following the recent budget. The budget did not deliver any direct funding for any new veterans' and families' wellbeing centres, or hubs, across Australia, including in the Central West of our state. Working with our local veterans, Bathurst RSL sub-branch submitted a comprehensive proposal for stage 1 of a Central West veterans' and families' wellbeing centre at Bathurst.

Our local veterans stepped up. They did the work and they put forward a solution. The sub-branch even offered a site, a building and co-funding.

Andrew Fletcher from the sub-branch did an extraordinary amount of work on the proposal. Yet the government has, to date, not supported these proactive efforts, leaving the fate of the project uncertain. I know that Bathurst RSL sub-branch President Barry Parsons, vice presidents Darlene Macri and Norm Pattison, the committee members and the whole sub-branch are committed to making this veterans' centre a reality.

We will not be giving up. The voices of our local veterans will be heard. Our veterans have put their lives on the line for our nation.

Their welfare and the welfare of their families should be an absolute priority. I call on the government to fund a veterans' and families' wellbeing centre at Bathurst, on the double. You will be hearing from us.