Honouring our ANZAC traditions of courage and self-sacrifice

NSW Premier Mike Baird and Minister for Veterans Affairs David Elliott today said almost $20 million will be spent in 2015-16 on initiatives which support the Centenary of the Anzac, including the Anzac Memorial Centenary Project.

Plans for the memorial include additional facilities for education and interpretation so that the community can learn about NSW’s war history and also complete the original architect’s vision for a water cascade to the south of the building.

The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has allocated $20.3 million to the historic project, including $15.7 million in 2015-16, and the Commonwealth will provide an additional $18 million.

“This Budget delivers on a commitment to ensure the honour and self-sacrifice of Australia’s veterans is not forgotten,” Mr Baird said.

The Government will spend up to $600,000 to establish a Veterans’ Employment Scheme which will assist returned servicemen and women gain employment within the NSW public service.

“Many returned servicemen and women across NSW face challenges when they leave the military and return to civilian life and this Government is committed to doing everything it can to help make this transition easier,’ Mr Elliott said.

The Budget also allocates $250,000 for the Community War Memorials Grant Program which helps protect and restore war memorials in towns across NSW and another $250,000 for the Anzac Memorial Scholarship.

This scholarship is provided on a merit basis to students so that they can travel to significant battlefields of Australia’s past.

Australians are commemorating the Centenary of Anzac from 2014-2018. The redevelopment of the Anzac Memorial is expected to be complete in 2018.