THOUSANDS OF VETERANS LEFT BEHIND BY THE MORRISON GOVERNMENT

04 August 2020

It’s a national disgrace that so many people who have risked their lives for our country are homeless.

We have a special obligation to support our veterans.

Australians would be shocked at the number of people who march on Anzac Day and sleep in the same street that night.

Organisations like Homelessness NSW have said that one in 10 people sleeping rough in NSW are veterans.

This Homelessness Week, the Prime Minister should outline a plan to help our homeless veterans.

A recent report from UNSW into veteran homelessness found around 5,800 ex-servicemen and women have been homeless in a 12-month period, far more than previously estimated.

These findings are consistent with other recent reports by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and Australian Housing and Urban Infrastructure, which also found far too many veterans are falling through the cracks.

RSL Queensland has seen a 26 per cent increase in demand for their veteran homelessness program year on year and RSL NSW has also reported a 25 per cent increase in the number of veterans seeking housing support.

While mainstream homelessness services may be able to help those experiencing short-term homelessness, these studies have found chronically homeless veterans need tailored policies and services around permanent and supported accommodation.

The Morrison Government needs to do far more to support defence personnel when it comes to transitioning out of the Australian Defence Force and into civilian life through assistance with housing, mental health and employment.