The Victorian budget, to be handed down next Tuesday, will deliver $AU3.7 million to extend funding of veterans' commemoration and education programmes, and to start redevelopment of a veterans mental health facility.
Victorian Premier Steve Bracks said on Wednesday that the Veterans' Psychiatry Unit at Melbourne's Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital was vital for service personnel, particularly in dealing with post traumatic stress.
The 2007-08 budget will include $AU1.5 million to begin demolition and site works for the redevelopment.
"The Victorian government has a strong record of honouring Victoria's veterans and the 2007-08 state budget will build on that record," Bracks said.
The budget will also include $AU2 million over four years to extend the war memorials restoration programme and support veterans' commemoration and education initiatives.
The Shrine of Remembrance will also receive a one-off grant of $AU200,000 to fund the installation of a new public address system.
