CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Mrs ELLIOT (Richmond) (09:51): I'm very pleased to rise today to speak about the veterans and families hub in my electorate of Richmond. What's really exciting is that the hub is having its official opening very soon. Delivering this hub was one of my key election commitments from the 2022 election, and locals know they can always count on me to deliver for them.

This is a project that I really wanted to see in my region as it's so vital that we provide support to veterans and their families and deliver that important support for those who've served our nation. It has always been an absolute commitment of mine and of this government. The Albanese Labor government has invested more than $5 million to deliver the veterans and families hub in Tweed Heads, and the government throughout this process worked in close partnership with RSL Lifecare Veterans Services, RSL New South Wales and all of our local RSLs as well.

In terms of the design and consultation, initially, there was a $50,000 grant from the government to RSL Lifecare Veterans Services to begin a business case for the veterans and families hub in the Tweed. Locally, we had extensive consultation with RSLs throughout the New South Wales North Coast and some of those from over the border in South-East Queensland.

I want to thank all of those that attended and contributed. Their insights were valuable. I also want to thank the Minister for Veterans' Affairs for attending one of those consultations in Tweed Heads and listening firsthand to local veterans.

I also thank the minister for visiting again when it was announced that RSL Lifecare was the successful tenderer for the project. The business case outlined the operational and management plans for the new hub tailored to the precise needs of our local veteran community. Having veterans' support and services accessible locally is so important in improving the health, wellbeing and economic outcomes of those who bravely served our nation.

We are incredibly fortunate in my area to have a very large ex-service population with more than 20,000 veterans and their families, including many older veterans and war widows as well. Soon after the actual location was determined to be 145 Wharf Street, Tweed Heads, a temporary hub was opened whilst the final renovations and improvements were underway for the hub.

We're all very much looking forward to the opening, and it will be a great event. I understand that RSL Lifecare and the hub are also planning a free community open day, and I encourage locals to come along and see firsthand the services that are being provided to our local veterans. I'm very much looking forward to seeing the final renovations that they have done.

They're just putting in so much time and commitment to get this hub right to provide those services. This project is one that I'm very proud of. As I said, I've committed to delivering this.

I have promised, committed and delivered the Tweed Heads veterans and families hub.