Gina Rinehart delivers more veteran housing in Brisbane

Gina Rinehart’s $200 million commitment to put a roof over the heads of Australia’s homeless or at-risk war heroes now spans coast-to-coast with the first Brisbane residences under the rollout opened and already helping veterans in need.

CAPTION: Gina Rinehart in fine company at the opening of the Daniel Keighran VC Apartments in Brisbane. Photo supplied.

Mrs Rinehart opened the new ‘Daniel Keighran VC Apartments’ in company with Daniel Keighran VC and Ben Roberts-Smith VC in the riverside suburb of Norman Park.

Veterans Housing Australia, which operates one of Mrs Rinehart’s dedicated veterans
housing facilities in Perth, will manage operations of the new Brisbane facility, alongside the Salvation Army.

Mrs Rinehart has also financed another three recently refurbished residential complexes across Brisbane, with two having already reached full capacity, and the third expected to welcome veterans next month.

The four Brisbane establishments bring the total number of apartment blocks acquired across Australia under Mrs Rinehart’s commitment to seven.

Mrs Rinehart said that after the opening of her first two Perth properties for veterans this year, plus the earlier Sir Valston Hancock House, she was very pleased to be able to provide more accommodation for veterans and their families, this time in Brisbane.

“Like Perth, the home of our highly skilled SAS, Queensland veterans have a long and
proud history of service to our nation,” she said.

“While many veterans call this city home, sadly too many who have served have no stable home of their own.

“With a federal government that seems more determined to sell our unused or scarcely used barracks to support their excessive spending and waste – including many facilities that have significant historical and sentimental value to those in uniform or who have served – rather than opening them up to our approximately 6000 homeless veterans, it is necessary to find suitable accommodation around the country to help fix this national disgrace.

“I hope more veteran organisations, even those who receive some government funding, add their voices to the public calls for the immediate opening of these underused defence facilities for the benefit of our veterans who are sleeping rough.

“Our own $200 million commitment – although this is the largest private commitment ever for veterans in our country – by itself is inadequate.

“More can, should and must be done to help those who were willing to sacrifice all for us.

“Stable secure housing is the basic foundation needed to help turn homeless veterans’ lives around.

“Skills veterans have already acquired while serving, such as carpentry, plumbing, mechanical, could be used to help maintain existing barracks, together with any clean up and painting needed.

“What really makes my blood boil, is that veterans who have fully earnt their inadequate pensions, are restricted from working as much as they may want or need, or if they did work over the tiny amount our government permits, their pensions would suffer.

“Veterans should and must be able to work, as much as they may want, without an expensive, intrusive bureaucracy over them, and just have their earnings taxed, as we do.

“This uncaring expensive policy is preventing many veterans from being able to save for a home, or even pay for rent, especially during this high-cost-of-living-crisis time.

“I have long called for this. It would be helpful if organisations entrusted with and funded to, serve our veterans, became more public regarding letting veterans who sacrificed, many risking their lives, being able to work in their own country if they wish.

“For those in Australia in the vast minority wanting high immigration despite the problems this causes, given they say they need workers, wouldn’t it be fantastic if our own veterans were able to work if they chose, and similarly our pensioners, who are also hurt by intrusive bureaucrats and uncaring governments similarly limiting the amount of work they are permitted to do.

“Lifting the expense of such intrusive bureaucracies and letting veterans and pensioners work should they choose, could release hundreds of thousands of English-speaking Australian workers – Australians currently struggling and stressed in this cost-of-living crisis, who need to be able to work to help them cope.

“This common-sense approach would not only help many veterans and pensioners should they choose to work, but through their taxes help fund our debt or other essential public services and infrastructure, many of which are lacking at this time, especially in our regional areas.”

Daniel Keighran VC said it was humbling and an absolute honour to have his name associated with a facility that would no doubt transform the lives of so many veterans doing it tough.

“Those who have served our nation face unique challenges as they transition back to civilian life.

“Many land on their feet, but for many others, unforeseen hurdles get in the way and take them on a path that no veteran should have to endure.

“Mrs Rinehart has stepped up for these veterans in a way never seen before.

“Veterans, even those in need, rarely ask for a helping hand, so being here at this wonderful facility and seeing up close the real difference Mrs Rinehart’s vision and generosity has made for these very deserving Australians will stay with me for years to come.

“What matters most about this facility is the dignity it gives veterans at a time when they may need it most.

“Mrs Rinehart has provided more than a roof over someone’s head; she has provided stability, support and, importantly, an opportunity to get back on their feet.

“Australians who have served their country deserve to know that, if circumstances turn
against them, they won’t be forgotten.

“This facility is a powerful example of what can be achieved when genuine generosity is matched with a determination to make a practical and lasting difference in veterans’ lives.”

Veteran Housing Australia CEO Rob Miller said the acquisition and operational delivery of the Daniel Keighran VC Apartments represented yet another phase in Mrs Rinehart’s commitment of $200 million to address veteran homelessness.

“The delivery of these homes under the proven ‘Housing First’ model is clear evidence of Mrs Rinehart’s commitment to make meaningful change, not just talk about the issue,” Mr Miller said.

“To my knowledge, no commitment or project – current or past – has ever been undertaken on such a scale in Australia, and VHA’s team and board are incredibly excited to be involved.”

Salvation Army’s Veteran Support Manager Jonathan Dyer said the Salvation Army was proud to work alongside Hancock Prospecting and Veteran Housing Australia to deliver supportive housing opportunities for veterans, ensuring they had access to safe accommodation and the
tailored support needed to achieve long-term housing stability and wellbeing.

“We are excited to see people stepping through the door of their homes, some after a considerable time without any kind of stability in their lives.

“This in itself is life transforming.

“We know that hope and housing are the springboard for positive change in every other area of a person’s life.

“Through this vital collaboration, we are helping to create the stability, opportunity and support that turn hopeful futures into reality.

“With thanks to Mrs Rinehart, this is one of the biggest steps towards ending veteran homelessness in Queensland.”

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