Article by Jessica Page, courtesy of the West Australian
Perth SAS war widow Kylie Russell has issued a public SOS, after her plea for Federal funding for crisis accommodation for at-risk veterans fell on deaf ears.
The State Government has contributed but Professor Russell said she didn’t receive the answer she was hoping for when she met Federal Minister for Veterans Affairs Matt Keogh about a year ago.
“Today there’ll be veterans who are sleeping rough, sleeping in a car, sleeping on a mate’s couch because we don’t have somewhere for them to go,” she said. “There’ll be a veteran waiting on the phone line who may not make it through the night and may be another tragic statistic in veteran suicide. “I beg the Federal Government to do the right thing.”
Planning for an Andrew Russell Living Centre is under way, to house and support at-risk veterans. On Wednesday, the State Government confirmed it would cover operational costs and announced a $5 million Lotterywest grant towards construction. However, $10 million was needed.
“Twenty-two years ago you sent my husband (Andrew) to war and promised this nation to take care of those who served,” Professor Russell, right, said.
“Twenty-two years later I’m asking for that promise to be delivered upon … Don’t forget those of us in WA, we’re standing in front of the war memorial here, Andrew’s name is on the wall. There’s nothing I can do today for Andrew or for those soldiers but we can do something for those who have returned.”
The Royal Australian Air Force Association has land set aside in Cannington and said the project was “shovel ready” and desperately needed. “About one in five veterans will suffer homelessness,” RAAFA chief executive Michelle Fyfe said.
“Veterans are three times more likely than everyday Australians to end up homeless and that just shouldn’t happen.”
The Federal Government announced $3.7 million worth of grants for veteran wellbeing on Wednesday. Five projects in WA received a total of $414,456.
Mr Keogh said $30m was being allocated to specialist support services as part of the Housing Australia Future Fund, but decisions could not be rushed.
“The Albanese Government is an orderly government that follows due process,” he said. “I’m deeply grateful to organisations like RAAFA WA, Andrew Russell Veteran Living, RSL WA and others who do amazing work to support WA’s veterans.
“As a minister from WA, I am committed to working with them and organisations across the country to deliver the best outcomes for our veterans.”
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