From the Former Assistant Minister
The Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP
Former Assistant Minister for Defence and Former Assistant Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
While I have now moved to a different role in the Government, for more than two years it has been my great privilege to serve you and work to provide a better future for veterans, who sacrifice much in the service of our country by putting their lives on the line to protect our nation. We can never fully repay this debt, but we do our best by supporting the physical and mental wellbeing of veterans and veteran families.
The 2024–25 Federal Budget continues the Government’s steadfast focus on the psychological welfare of serving personnel, veterans and families. It provides $2.5 million to extend the Military and Veteran Psychiatry Training Program, which seeks to improve veterans’ access to psychiatrists who have specialist training in veteran and trauma-focused care. The dedicated funding will add up to 20 additional trainees to the program, expanding access for more veterans.
We’re also investing $1 million to extend the Veterans’ Chaplaincy Pilot Program. This program provides continuity of chaplaincy support after separation from the ADF – particularly for at-risk veterans and families – through pastoral care, spiritual health and support for moral injury.
The Open Arms network is continuing to expand and broaden its services. In April, I opened two new offices in Brisbane, while in Tasmania, Open Arms has developed a first-of-its-kind eight-week Stress, Resilience and Functioning Program to support veterans develop practical skills to reduce the impacts of stress and PTSD.
Also in Tasmania, we launched a new pilot project which promises to better identify veterans and refer them to Open Arms services. We have been working with local partners to reach veterans not previously known to DVA, but who could benefit from our services. The project will use the state‑based mental health intake service to identify veterans and connect them directly with Open Arms. The Department will monitor the performance of the project closely so that key learnings can inform a potential rollout of similar initiatives across Australia.
On Anzac Day, I was honoured to represent Australia at the site of the former prisoner of war camp in Sandakan, Malaysia. We honoured the courage, service and sacrifice of the Australian prisoners of war incarcerated at Sandakan, many of whom perished on the horrific death marches to Ranau in the Second World War.
As we remembered their terrible suffering and immense endurance, I expressed the pride Australians feel for those who volunteered or were called upon to serve in the war. It is the same pride we feel for today’s veterans and ADF members and I feel privileged to have played a role in the Government’s work to continually improve the services and support veterans and families rely on for their wellbeing.