On the eve of Anzac Day, the federal government has announced its plan to provide more support for veterans, with Nowra firm in its sights.
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The Coalition, if re-elected, will find funding for a $5 million veterans' wellbeing centre, to be operational in Nowra by 2020.
The site is yet to be determined.
The new centre, one of six in Australia, will integrate government and non-government support for Australians who have served in our defence forces with local health services community organisations, advocacy and wellbeing support. These organisations will partner with ex-service organisations and the state and government.
Nowra has been chosen as one of six sites for wellbeing centre funding because there are a high number of veterans and Australian Defence Force members living in the surrounding area and many in the ADF will choose to live in the area when they transition into civilian life.
In a joint statement, Liberal and National Candidates for Gilmore Warren Mundine and Katrina Hodgkinson welcomed the regional funding.
"We need to do more for our veterans and this one-stop shop for their welfare is a no-brainer," Mr Mundine said.
"We have a large contingent of veterans here in Gilmore, they come and work in the area because we have the military bases and they love the South Coast so much that they stay on after retirement. So we need to make sure their retirement is as comfortable as possible and that they are getting the services they need."
"Looking after those people who have served our nation is one of our highest priorities," Ms Hodgkinson said.
"It is vital that we are able to better coordinate services for our veterans moving into the region. We can do this by making it easier for them to access health, community and social services."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the wellbeing centre would assist veterans in returning to work.
"Our plan is about backing veterans and their families to get jobs when they leave the defence forces and to get the health care and housing they need," Mr Morrison said.
"As we approach Anzac Day were focused on honouring and respecting the service of our servicemen and women, veterans and their families as well as delivering practical support. Australians rightly expect our veterans and their families are looked after and our plan builds on our record support and secures it for the future."
Defence Minister Darren Chester said round tables hosted by the Coalition helped to develop the policy, including two in Nowra in recent weeks.
"I want to thank the ex-service organisations for their constructive input," Minister Chester said.
The government will also invest $16.2 million to support organisations including Soldier On, Team Rubicon and State Branches of the RSL. Along with other ex-service organisations, these groups will also be able to use the new Veterans Wellbeing Centres to deliver their services.
A Coalition government would also deliver an extra $17 million to allow Totally and Permanently Incapacitated to continue to access allied health services including exercise physiology and physiotherapy under existing arrangements.
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