Andrew asked the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs about to guarantee the future of the Defence and Veterans’ Workshop at Derwent Barracks, following the sale of the site.
“Minister the Defence and Veterans’ Workshop in Hobart has supported serving and ex-serving personnel since 1980. It’s an essential service, and more important than ever if the Government’s fair dinkum about addressing the Defence and Veteran Royal Commission’s findings.
But Minister the Workshop will be homeless if Derwent Barracks is sold off. So what will you do about that? Does the Government commit to ensuring the Workshop remains in situ, or is funded to secure a new facility?”
You can watch his question and the Minister’s answer below:
The commitment by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs to ensuring that the Defence and Veterans’ Workshop will remain at Dowsing Point is wonderful news. Responding to Andrew’s question in the Parliament today, the Minister was unequivocal about the future of the Workshop, despite the remainder of Derwent Barracks being disposed of as a part of the reform of the Defence Estate.
The Workshop has supported serving and ex-serving Defence personnel since 1980. It’s an essential service, especially in light of the findings of the recent Defence and Veteran Royal Commission. Good on the Federal Government for listening and responding appropriately.