Ms Grierson asked the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, upon notice, on 13 February 2003:

(1) Does the Minister's Department administer any Commonwealth funded programs for which community organisations, businesses or individuals in the electoral division of Newcastle can apply for funding; if so, what are the programs.

(2) Does the Minister's Department advertise these funding opportunities; if so, (a) what print or other media outlets have been used for the advertising of each of these programs and (b) were these paid advertisements.

(3) With respect to each of the Commonwealth funded programs referred to in part (1), (a) what is its purpose and (b) who is responsible for allocating funds.

(4) With respect to each of the Commonwealth funded programs referred to in part (1), how many (a) community organisations, (b) businesses or (c) individuals in the electoral division of Newcastle received funding in 2001 and 2002.

(5) What sum of Commonwealth funding did each recipient receive in 2001 and 2002.

(6) What is the name and address of each recipient.

Mrs Vale (Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence) —The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(1) Yes, the programs are:

Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) program;

Veteran & Community Grants;

Saluting Their Service Commemorations program; and

Grants-in-Aid.

(2) (a) and (b) The details of promoting the BEST, Veteran & Community Grants and Saluting Their Service Commemorations programs are shown below.

No advertising is undertaken with the Grants-in-Aid program but the application form is available on the Department of Veterans' Affairs website.

Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) program

The Department of Veterans' Affairs website. All details, including the application form, guidelines and contact details as well as an information sheet, are on the website.

Annual forums are held by Department of Veterans' Affairs State Deputy Commissioners with various peak ex-service organisation representatives to address BEST funding for the coming financial year. From these forums, peak ex-service organisation representatives advise their members of funding arrangements.

The Training Information Program (TIP). Information on the BEST program is incorporated into some TIP training sessions held in the States.

A letter mail out advising of forthcoming BEST application periods. The mail out is circulated to existing grantees notifying them of forthcoming BEST funding.

There are no paid advertisements for this program.

Veteran & Community Grants

The Department of Veterans' Affairs website. All details, including the application form, guidelines and contact details as well as an information sheet, are on the website.

The Grantslink website. A Commonwealth government grants website which is managed by the Department of Transport and Regional Services.

The Department of Veterans' Affairs State Office staff, Veterans' Affairs Network (VAN) Office staff and Community Advisers. Information about Veteran & Community Grants are disseminated at this level through local visits, forums (such as ex-service organisation grant workshops), mail outs and newsletter articles directed at ex-service and targeted community organisations.

There are no paid advertisements for this program.

Saluting Their Service Commemorations Program

The Department of Veterans' Affairs website. All details, including the application form, guidelines and contact details as well as an information sheet, are on the website.

The Grantslink website. A Commonwealth government grants website which is managed by the Department of Transport and Regional Services.

A mail out to all Federal Members and Senators.

Brochures are available from offices of the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

The only paid advertisement for this program is in the Australian Local Government Yearbook (2002).

(3) (a) The purpose of each of the programs is:

Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) program - The aim of this program is to provide support and resources to ex-service organisation practitioners for pension and welfare work to assist veterans and widow(er)s.

Veteran & Community Grants - These grants aim to maintain and improve the independence and quality of life of members of the veteran community. The grants provide funding for projects which promote healthier lifestyles and enhance health, support carers, reduce social isolation and assist veterans and war widow(er)s to remain in their own homes as long as possible. Projects may also generate benefits for the wider community. Organisations that can demonstrate a contribution to the welfare of members of the veteran community are eligible to apply for funding.

Saluting Their Service Commemorations Program - This program honours the contribution of Australia's servicemen and women in wars, conflicts and peace operations. Grants may be approved under the program for the restoration, preservation and upgrading of community war memorials or, where no memorial exists in the town or suburb, the construction of a new memorial; the restoration, preservation and interpretation of Australian wartime memorabilia for public display; commemoration of significant anniversaries of battles and other military operations; significant reunions of units and school initiatives, eg research projects involving local veterans. The maximum generally available is $4,000.

Grants-in-Aid - The aim of this program is to assist national ex-service organisations with their administration costs in recognition of the services that they provide to the ex-service community.

(b) The Minister for Veterans' Affairs.

(4) (a), (b) and (c) The number of community organisations, businesses or individuals in the electoral division of Newcastle who received funding in 2001 and 2002 is:

2001

2002

(5) and (6) The sum of Commonwealth funding provided and the name and address of each recipient is as follows:

2001

2002