The Liberal-National Government has matched a Labor promise to establish a $5 million Veteran Wellbeing Centre in the Hunter region should it win at the May 21 election.
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Announcing the plan in Branxton on Thursday, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel Andrew Gee said such centres helped to better connect veterans to support and advocacy already available.
"They are part of our national approach to delivering integrated support services to veterans and their families by working with local organisations and the local defence and veteran community," he said.
"There will be a process in coming months to decide who will run the centre, the exact location and the preferred operating model."
Veteran Wellbeing Centres are established in partnership with ex-service organisations, local health services or community organisations.
The federal government has established six Veteran Wellbeing Centres around the country, with more on the way in South-East Queensland, Tasmania, the Hawkesbury and Mackay.
"I have visited a number of the existing centres and seen firsthand the positive effects they have on those who use them," Mr Gee said.
Mr Gee was joined in Branxton by Nationals candidate for the Hunter James Thomson, Liberal candidate for Paterson Brooke Vitnell and the Liberal candidate for Shortland Nell McGill.
Ms Vitnell said the Hunter centre would service the large population of veterans and active service personnel in the region.
"We are the proud home of RAAF Base Williamtown, we are the proud home of Lone Pine Barracks, we are a proud home to thousands of veterans and their families," she said.
"I wholeheartedly welcome the establishment of a Hunter-based Veteran Wellbeing Centre. The establishment of this Wellbeing Centre is one way to give back to them for their lives of service."
The announcement comes a week after Shayne Neumann, the shadow minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel, joined Federal Member for Paterson Meryl Swanson in East Maitland to announce a Labor government would establish a $5 million Veteran Wellbeing Centre.
Mr Neumann said the new veteran hub would be located in the Paterson division and would act as a one-stop shop for veterans and their families to access wellbeing support, advocacy, employment and housing assistance, and social connection.
