FINDING BETTER WAYS TO SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUPPORT OUR DEFENCE PERSONNEL

The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, yesterday met with Defence families in Wagga Wagga, as part of a series of Defence Family Forums taking place around the country.

“The support provided by Defence families to our hard working uniformed men and women is critical to the ongoing operation of the Australian Defence Force (ADF),” Mr Snowdon said. 

“The Defence Family Forums give families the opportunity to candidly voice their opinions on Defence and give feedback about their own experiences of the military lifestyle.”

Wagga is the latest in the series of Forums, which has already included Darwin, Katherine, Perth, Rockingham, Puckapunyal, Sydney, Adelaide and Newcastle.

“This is an excellent opportunity to learn what support ADF families need to be happy within the Defence community,” Mr Snowdon said. 

“We have had an outstanding response to the Forums and families have really appreciated the opportunity to raise their issues and ideas with me in person.

“Much of the discussions thus far have related to the unique challenges associated with the mobile lifestyle of ADF members and the pressures this can have on their families; be it related to medical care, education, housing or spouse employment.  

“In finding out first hand what challenges families are facing, we can work on providing targeted support services to assist them.

“Our ideal outcome is an environment where our Defence families are not simply coping, but thriving.”

Media contacts:

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

Defence Media Liaison:                         02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664