Government backflips, funds wounded veterans sport group Invictus Australia
The federal government has backed down and will provide funding for injured and disabled veterans to compete in the Invictus Games.
Funding for Invictus Australia was canceled in the May 12 federal budget, but under intense pressure from the public and veterans’ groups, Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh backtracked and restarted the funding on Thursday.
Invictus Australia’s $3 million annual federal government funding has been reinstated for three years.
Invictus Australia managing director Michael Hartung said the weight of veterans sharing their stories and community support were among the reasons the fund was approved.
“The past few weeks have revealed the power of the community; what’s been incredibly powerful is their advocacy, sharing their stories and articulating so well the impact the Invictus movement has had on them,” he said.
“We thank the federal government for reviewing its decision to cease funding to Invictus Australia and are pleased that veterans and their families will be able to continue to benefit from our world-leading program for years to come.”
Nearly 30,000 former defense personnel have been supported by Invictus Australia, using sport to help their mental and physical recovery.
The funding will help send a team to the next international Invictus Games in Birmingham in 2027.
Invictus Australia has sent 33 athletes to the 2025 Games in Canada. Invictus Australia was created for the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 event.
Prince Harry, himself a former defender, founded the Invictus Games in 2014.
Two weeks ago, the boss of Invictus Australia said he only learned of the $3 million annual funding cut when federal budget documents were published.
“We found out about it on Tuesday evening (budget night) … we were a little confused as they walked in, but that was really the first we’d heard of it,” Mr. Hartung said at the time.
“It was definitely a shock.”
Mr Hartung said the 30,000 former Australian Defense Force personnel working at Invictus Australia received significant rehabilitation and recovery as well as preventive support.
“This was one of the key elements of the Defense Royal Commission into Veterans’ Suicide that needed to be done in this area, and that’s what we’re doing,” he said.
Former Australian defense personnel are more likely to die by suicide than the general population.
An Australian female veteran is almost twice as likely to take her own life as an ordinary civilian female.
According to data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, men who quit Defense have a 25 per cent greater risk of dying by suicide.
