The veteran community have served their country well and they need to have something that's unique to themselves, where they can feel comfortable.
- Graham Docksey
VETERANS services don’t belong in Centrelink, according to Border representatives concerned this could be the outcome if a Wodonga office closed.
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A community consultation by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, which ends on February 5, is seeking feedback on the Wodonga Veterans’ Access Network (VAN) shop front in Hume Street.
The property’s lease expires in June and future arrangements may include office relocation, co-location of services, delivery of in-person services through contracted third party agencies, closure or a continuation of the existing situation.
Albury RSL president Graham Docksey said he understood the federal government’s need to assess and possibly rationalise veteran facilities.
“But there's no way in the world that I or my members and I'm sure the broader community would ever accept a desk in Centrelink,” he said.
“It's certainly not an answer at all.”
Mr Docksey said the reduced privacy available and general atmosphere of a Centrelink office would not be suitable for veterans.
“Whilst the staff are very professional and they're courteous, it's the environment that could be threatening to the older veteran community and our younger veterans coming back out of Afghanistan and Iraq that may be suffering PTSD or suffering anxiety disorder,” he said.
“They are little fish bowls in there and some of the issues that veterans want to talk about are quite confidential and are quite sensitive.
“These people are generally sensitive in their first exposure to DVA and (Centrelink) is not the right environment.
“The veteran community have served their country well and they need to have something that's unique to themselves, where they can feel comfortable.”
Murray Border Vietnam Veterans president Gary Treeve and Wodonga RSL president Kevyn Williams last week reported resistance to the idea of VAN services moving to Centrelink.
The timing of the consultation over the holiday period also received criticism.
A Department of Veterans’ Affairs spokesman emphasised the genuine nature of the consultation process, with no decision yet made.
“DVA wishes to hear from anyone interested in the delivery of in-person services in the Albury-Wodonga region,” he said.
Feedback can be sent to DVA.In.Person.Services@dva.gov.au or Attn Deputy Commissioner, Department of Veterans’ Affair, GPO Box 9998 in your capital city.
