07 August 2014

FEDERAL Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce has announced combined funding of more than $36,000 for the Tamworth and Armidale RSL Sub Branches under the Building Excellence in Support and Training [BEST] grants round.

The Tamworth Sub Branch will receive $29,227.92 while the Armidale Sub Branch is to receive $7,032.92.

Mr Joyce said the BEST program, administered by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, provided support and resources to ex-service practitioners for pension and welfare work to assist veterans, war widows and widowers.

“At the last election the Government promised to restore BEST funding to 2010 levels to ensure veterans and their families can get this important support when and where they need it,” Mr Joyce said.

“In line with this commitment, the Government has provided an additional $1 million in funding for BEST this year. This brings the total amount of grant money available for Round 16 of BEST to $3.772 million.”

Mr Joyce said with the services in the Electorate and across the nation commemorating the outbreak World War one this week, Australia’s service men and women should be at the forefront of the nation’s minds for their deeds while in service for their country.

“It’s so poignant, when you think of the privations they went through … and they did it gladly,” Mr Joyce said.

He said BEST grants were an important part of the Government's commitment to support ex-service organisation pensions’ officers, welfare officers and advocates.