Labor pledges $5m Queanbeyan veteran wellbeing centre if elected

The opposition on Monday announced it would deliver $5 million in funding for a "one-stop shop" in the Queanbeyan and Palerang region, saying it would offer veterans and their families access to critical services.

Labor's veterans' affairs spokesperson, Shayne Neumann, and member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain said the centre would serve the region's 18,000 veterans and their families, in addition to the nearby military bases.

The space will be designed as a hub to offer wellbeing and transition support, advocacy, employment and housing assistance, and social connection.

"The centre will be a family-friendly space, and provide peer-to-peer support for younger veterans and their families, bringing together critical services under one roof," Mr Neumann said.

"We want to see a facility run by veterans, for veterans, that's inclusive and easily accessible for all ex-service men and women in the community.

"There has been an increased need for support services in the region as a result of long wait times for veteran claims, the royal commission into defence and veteran suicide, and the ADF's withdrawal from the conflict in Afghanistan last year."

The commitment comes following a push from veterans and ex-service organisations in the area.

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Ms McBain said Labor, if it wins, would determine a suitable location in Queanbeyan after consultation with the community.

"It could also provide support for other groups in the community, like first responders, including police and emergency services personnel," she said.

"The key to the new veteran support centre would be listening to the local community to design a service that meets their needs.

"If elected, Labor will continue to consult with the local ex-service community on how to best support them and their families with this facility, and to determine an appropriate lead organisation, location and delivery model for the centre."

The federal government has committed funding for veteran wellbeing centres in eight locations around the country, including Townsville, Darwin, Perth, Adelaide, Wodonga, Nowra, south-east Queensland and Tasmania.

A feasibility study was undertaken in 2020 by the ACT and federal governments but its findings have not been publicly released.

ACT Veterans Minister Emma Davidson earlier this month called on the Commonwealth to choose Canberra as its ninth location, adding the region had the highest number of Veterans' Affairs Department clients per capita.

"The ACT is got a really diverse veterans population as well so we've got a whole lot of people who are serving members and some of them while they're here are starting to plan their transition out of service," she said.

"Having a veterans wellbeing centre here, it services more than just the ACT population, it's the whole of surrounding NSW as well which is huge."

A royal commission into defence and veteran suicide was established mid-last year in response to growing concerns over lapses in veteran support.

An interim report will be delivered in August, with a final report due June next year.