Veterans Affairs Minister Brent Potter on Positive Preschool Plan, Country Liberal Party respond
Brent Potter has called on fellow veterans to “consider staying” in the NT, citing a key election pledge as a huge win for young families. But the Country Liberal Party says those same families feel unsafe.
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As the nation explores new ways to support former service members, Veterans Affairs Minister Brent Potter claims the Territory is in prime position to assist families transitioning from the forces – and keep them.
The claim comes as the NT government continues to headhunt service members with a view to bolstering the Territory’s skilled workforce across the region.
To facilitate veterans who remain in the Territory, the government announced Operation Thrive in November – a multifaceted action plan focused on veterans and their families which aims to improve general practitioner access, job networking and educating health workers on Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) claims.
However, with the Australian Defence Force ramping up its recruitment campaign, Mr Potter said the Territory would need to expand the plan to cater for future veterans.
“I think we will (expand Operation Thrive), we’re going to see more veterans when there’s more service personnel, we’re going to need more psychologists and general practitioners and we will continue to do our part.”
With a $3.2 million investment already made towards Operation Thrive, Mr Potter said partnerships with the private sector would also improve job opportunities for veterans in the Territory.
“We recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ventia, but that goes on top of the MOU we signed with Sitzler and Soldier On.”
Mr Potter cited “cost of living” as a key issue in the fight to keep veterans in the Territory and cited one particular election promise as a “number one” selling point.
“They all want to go home where their families are originally from, so we need to set the incentives to keep them here and I think the number one incentive for a young family that’s transitioning out of Defence is the four-year old preschool,” he said.
Mr Potter was referring to the Lawler Government’s pledge to double the availability of free preschool for four-year olds if elected, increasing funding from 15 to 30 hours at up to 25 preschools across the Territory.
Called the “Positive Preschool Plan”, Mr Potter said the $35.5 million commitment would put the Territory ahead of other jurisdictions that are scouting for veteran talent.
“(The Positive Preschool Plan) is going to save every Territory family a huge amount of money – $500 a fortnight right through to those that are at the highest tax bracket, up to $1200 a fortnight,” he said.
“That’s a huge cost of living reduction that no other government in Australia can offer that we’re offering in the Territory, so I say to veterans if you’re leaving and you’ve got a family, consider staying here.
“We’ll find you employment because we’ve got those partnerships, but we’re also going to make it cheaper for your child to go to four-year old preschool and cut that childcare cost.”
Opposition spokeswoman for Veterans Affairs Marie-Clare Boothby said the Country Liberal Party would support “those who have served” by tackling crime in addition to financial pressures.
“Veterans and their families are leaving because they feel unsafe due to this Labor Government failing to deal with crime or the high cost of living,” she said.
“Only the CLP has a plan of action to reduce crime, starting with immediately strengthening laws and increasing power for our police.”
Ms Boothby said her party’s economic vision would entice veterans to plant themselves in the Territory.
“Our nation-leading payroll tax relief is a game changer and our home builder program will help more Territorians, including veterans, into homes,” she said.
“And we will help ease cost of living pressures with lower rego costs, doubling the solar feed-in tariff in peak times and doubling the battery bonus.”
Both parties’ appeal to the veteran community follows national efforts to make the transition from Defence easier, with the Albanese’s Government having introduced new legislation last month aimed at improving DVA claims-processing.
Under the new Veterans’ Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Bill, all new compensation claims from July, 2026, will be dealt with under a single piece of legislation, regardless of when or where a veteran served.
The streamlined approach was in response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s Interim Report, which determined that a poor claims processing system could be a “contributing factor to suicidality”, due to the convoluted process of seeking health support.
With the federal budget also setting aside an additional $222 million for veteran and family entitlements across the two years from commencement of the new legislation, it is expected the 10,000 veterans who call the Territory home will be in a better position to claim benefits than previously.
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