HELPING PEOPLE PLAN FOR A POST-MILITARY LIFE

The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, today inspected the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Transition Centre at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville. 

The Centre forms part of a new enhanced transition process to help ADF members and their families move smoothly from military to civilian life.

Mr Snowdon said it’s important that families can easily access all the available care and advice. The Townsville Transition Centre building also houses other aspects of regional support to ADF members in Townsville.

“I am pleased to see that Defence is providing an environment where the ADF member and their family can discuss, in a confidential manner, all aspects of their transition” Mr Snowdon said.

The enhanced transition support service provides separating ADF members and their families with an individually tailored service and accurate, high quality information about issues like rehabilitation and compensation; housing; medical and dental; financial; and family support to ADF members to assist them successfully plan their post-military life.

“Vitally, the new transition service is working actively with other government agencies such as the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Comsuper,” Mr Snowdon said.

“There is still work to be done to better support our ADF members as they leave the services, but we hope to have the enhanced transition care implemented nationally by November 2008.”

Media contacts:

Kate Sieper (Warren Snowdon):        02 6277 7620 or 0488 484 689

Defence Media Liaison:                     02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664