Incumbent (Liberal) State Member for Eildon, Cindy McLeish last week announced a Liberal-National Coalition State Government – if elected on 24 November – will establish a $2 million Returned Services’ League (RSL) Building Maintenance Fund to offer grants of up to $30,000 to support the RSL and other ex-service organisations.
“RSL branches have been a place of support and mateship to many returned soldiers, which is why the Liberals [party] will invest in RSLs across Victoria,” McLeish said.
The RSL Building Maintenance Fund grants will be used to maintain RSL buildings not supported by gambling (pokie) revenue to make minor improvements to ensure Australia’s veterans are supported.
The grants can also be used to upgrade or maintain township cenotaphs, community memorials or Avenues of Honour.
“Veteran numbers continue to grow as Afghanistan and Iraq veterans retire or leave the armed services, so it is vitally important to maintain RSL buildings for the future.”
It should be noted that it was the then (Liberal) Prime Minster, John Howard, who sent Australian troops to Afghanistan and Iraq in 2001 – following the September 11 terrorist attacks – in the first place to secure Iraq’s alleged, but never found, ‘weapons of mass destruction.’ Now, we – Australia – have more veterans of war service.
“Local RSLs are the lifeblood of our communities and the Liberals will always support those who protect and serve the community,” McLeish said.
