ON LONG Tan Day, Thursday, August 18, the Premier Daniel Andrews made a special trip to Phillip Island’s National Vietnam Veterans Museum to announce a “funded” commitment from the government of $10 million.
On Monday this week, the Shadow Minister for Veterans, Tim Bull, also made a pilgrimage to the museum to promise an additional $10 million, if the Coalition wins the November 26 election.
The combined $20 million, plus an earlier commitment of $5 million from the Federal Government, will be enough to get stage one of the exciting $50 million relocation and ambitious construction project off the ground.
Mr Bull said the funding would address a shortfall in funding from the State Government.
“Despite the project receiving $5 million in funding from the Coalition Federal Government, for some strange reason, the Andrews Labor Government only recently committed $10 million of the $20 million required for stage one to commence, leaving a shortfall for work on the new site to start,” Mr Bull said.
“The Liberals and Nationals will provide the additional funds so work can begin,” he said.
The Nationals Candidate for Bass, Brett Tessari, said maintenance costs at the current site, where few items can be displayed, are skyrocketing.
“The committee purchased the new site some time ago and has since been chasing the funds to start work on a state-of-the-art building that will become a major tourist attraction on the island,” Mr Tessari said.
“It really is an exciting project for the region. I have met the group on a few occasions now and will not sit by and leave this volunteer committee and Vietnam veterans in limbo.”
Liberal Candidate for Bass, Aaron Brown, said he had met with museum board members and was pleased to help turn their vision into reality.
“When completed, it includes expansive gardens and pathways to allow for commemoration and reflection,” Mr Brown said.
“The Liberals and Nationals have a long history of respecting and honouring our veteran community, and this will provide our Vietnam veterans with not only a suitable museum, but a place to honour and remember.”
Depending on the outcome of the poll, however, the museum organisers, and their supporters, might still have a battle or two on their hands before the project is fully funded.
