Victorian State Budget: Andrews government to find public sector jobs for former Diggers

HUNDREDS of young veterans will be given jobs in Victoria’s public service as part of an employment push in next week’s state Budget.

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HUNDREDS of young veterans will be given jobs in Victoria’s public service as part of an employment push in next week’s state Budget.

The Herald Sun can reveal the Andrews government will find public sector jobs for up to 250 former Diggers in a plan to ensure veterans find new ­employment opportunities.

Serving soldiers buying their first home will also be able to take advantage of the state government’s new housing affordability policies without having to live at the property.

The plan to find jobs for veterans will form a key part of the government’s response to the Victorian Veterans Sector Study Report.

The government will today announce it is adopting all 14 recommendations from the ­report, including a review of present laws to ensure veterans are receiving enough support.

Victorian Veterans Affairs Minister John Eren. Picture: AAP Image/Christopher Talbot

The employment strategy will be developed over the next 12 months and will be promoted to veteran networks and soldiers leaving the Australian Defence Force who move to Victoria.

There is no data on the number of former soldiers who are unemployed, but experts have said unemployment was a major contributor to the high rates of veteran suicide in Australia.

The Victorian Minister for ­Veterans, John Eren, said former Diggers had selflessly protected the community “so we have to do everything we can to protect them”.

“They’ve earned it — for the rest of their lives,” he said.

“We know a lot of veterans are doing it tough, so we’re doing everything we can to help them get back on their feet and put their valuable skills to use.”

Former ADF member Carmel Flynn, who is now executive director of emergency management at the Department of Education and Training, said veterans might find it difficult to see where their skills could be applied outside the military.

Ms Flynn said veterans brought a range of valuable traits to a workforce including “leadership, teamwork, values and service”.

“I think it can be challenging to see the relevance of what you have been doing in the military and applying that to civilian work environment, ­because in the military you use different language (and) the consequences can be life-and-death situations so security and safety is at the forefront.”

Serving ADF personnel will also receive a special exemption under the First Home Owner Grant.

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