Wednesday, 22 June 2022

Ministers statements: veterans support

Mr LEANE (Eastern Metropolitan—Minister for Local Government, Minister for Suburban Development, Minister for Veterans) (12:24): I would like to update the house on the veterans capital works, Victoria Remembers and Restoring Community War Memorials and Avenues of Honour grants. Recently I was joined at Oakleigh-Carnegie RSL by local member Steve Dimopoulos, a good MP; the president, Doug Pendergast; the secretary, Ann Barker, who was a good MP; and other members of that committee. Oakleigh-Carnegie RSL received $30 570 through the veterans capital works grants program to create a dedicated library lounge area for veterans and $30 000 through the Restoring Community War Memorials and Avenues of Honour grants program to repair and restore Oakleigh’s memorial. I was also delighted to visit the Emerald RSL with the Deputy Premier, James Merlino.

A member: A good MP.

Mr LEANE: A good Deputy Premier. And I thank the RSL president, Peter Maloney, for hosting us. It was fantastic. They received funding to install seven plaques on the Anzac Place memorial and $50 000 to support the upgrade of their facilities to provide a safe and harmonious environment for members, veterans and their families.

It was also a pleasure to head out to Ringwood RSL with Will Fowles, a good MP, a good candidate for Ringwood too, with the president of the committee of the RSL. The RSL are receiving funding for the conservation plan to restore and renew the fantastic murals commemorating Australian service men and women and the RSL on the underpass at Wantirna Road and the train line.