source : the age
The Queensland premier says a long-promised plan will support the state’s veterans and bolster the economy, disputing suggestions it lacked substance and was underbaked.
Speaking at the Ekka on Monday morning, David Crisafulli – who also serves as minister for veterans – unveiled his government’s Veterans and Veterans’ Families Strategy 2026-32.
The 23-page document identified areas where additional support could be provided to veterans, and provided broad goals the government hoped to fulfil.
“If they have served here, we want them to finish their time and continue to live in Queensland,” Crisafulli said.
“If they’ve served elsewhere, we want them to come north of the border and enjoy life here in Queensland and make a contribution.
“We need more people who can contribute to the economy, and I couldn’t think of a better group of people than veterans to do that.”
There are about 163,000 veterans in Queensland, making up about 2.8 per cent of the state’s population.
In Brisbane, about 3.2 per cent of residents are veterans. Townsville has the highest rate, at about 9.1 per cent.
About 23,000 Queenslanders serve in the regular Australian Defence Force or reserves.
The new six-year strategy is divided into five sections: education and employment, health, housing and support, veterans in business, community and sport, and commemoration and recognition.
Few hard figures or commitments are provided, but it says the government will create new pathways for veterans to enter trades and professions including teaching.
Procurement policy will change to give more weighting to veteran businesses, and programs to improve housing for veterans and their families will be supported.
It followed consultation with almost 2000 people, and stakeholder groups.
RSL Queensland president, Major General Stephen Day, stood alongside the premier and endorsed the plan as a step forward.
“We are very pleased that at the core of the strategy is a commitment, which in essence is to support veterans and their families to both belong and to be able to contribute to their communities,” he said.
“Of course, with any plan the hard work is actually the execution.”
Labor leader Steven Miles acknowledged he had not yet read the document on Monday afternoon, but said it was a year late to be delivered and did not provide serious detail.
“That’s typical of this government,” he told reporters outside parliament house.
“They love an announcement, a photo opportunity, a press conference, but when it comes to the hard policy work of doing things that deliver for Queenslanders, there’s no show, no follow up, no delivery … that’s what they’ve done again today for our veterans.”
Crisafulli said the strategy was a starting point that would give a baseline to drive change.
“The fact that we haven’t had one shows that it hasn’t been a priority for our state, and it should be,” he said.
“If you look at the document, it does outline all of the different areas for different government agencies to focus on.”
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