Close to 30 veterans, family members, and advocates attended the inaugural Hughes Defence, Veterans and Families Forum.
The forum was initiated by the Federal Member for Hughes, David Moncrieff.
Ex-service personnel and representatives from the Ingleburn, Liverpool RSL and Engadine sub-branches attended the forum, held in Moorebank Sports Club on October 30.
Mr Moncrieff and Special Envoy for Men’s Health Dan Repacholi MP co-hosted the forum.
Mr Repacholi spoke to the findings of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide and government action to implement its recommendations.
Positive conversations covered mental health support, DVA processes, allied health services, transport, and the transparency of veteran data use.
“It was fantastic to hear from our local defence and ex-service community about the issues affecting them here in the electorate of Hughes,” Mr Moncrieff said afterwards.
“Our community is home to more than 1,300 serving members of the ADF, as well as more than 2,500 formerly serving members.
“I am focused on making sure that the needs of our veteran and ADF community are represented in our nation’s parliament,” he said.
The aim of the forum is to provide a platform for local defence and ex-service people to discuss any challenges they have.
“We have a large defence community and rich history here in Hughes, including as the site of the Holsworthy Barracks and with deep connections to the historic Ingleburn Army Camp, and we owe an enormous debt to our veterans,’’ Mr Moncrieff said.
“The Hughes Defence, Veterans and Families Forum provides an avenue for our defence community to have their voices heard, respected, and represented in the federal government on the services they interact with.
“I look forward to continuing my engagement with our defence and veteran community to ensure their voices and aspirations are represented.”
If you are a current member of the ADF, an ex-service person or their family in the Hughes electorate, you can register to be included in future meetings at https://davidmoncrieffmp.com.au/petitions-and-surveys/defence-veterans-and-families-advisory-forum/.
