“The new health centre represents Defence’s significant investment in the wellbeing of our people to help them through all phases of their careers and ensure they are fit to fight, fit to work and fit for life,” Assistant Minister Hastie said.

“The health centre supports approximately 870 ADF personnel across the Perth metropolitan area and delivers integrated primary and mental health care, physiotherapy, dental and rehabilitation services, and a pharmacy.

“Defence is committed to providing treatment and rehabilitation services responsive to the changing needs of Defence personnel, which can vary from primary health care to complex interventions,” Assistant Minister Hastie concluded.

It is expected that the centre will be staffed by 23 specialists, including health professionals, ADF members and public servants to deliver leading health support to service personnel.

Today, the government further revealed that the independent Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal would reconsider medallic recognition for service in Rifle Company Butterworth (RCB) between 1970 and 1989.

According to the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Andrew Gee, the tribunal is scheduled to reconsider providing medallic recognition after feedback from Defence members who served in RCB throughout this time.

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“The tribunal will consider whether these Australian veterans should receive the Australian Active Service Medal for their deployment to Malaysia,” Minister Gee said.

“The issue was looked at by the tribunal more than a decade ago, and a view was taken at the time not to recognise their service as ‘warlike’.

“The New Zealand government recently broadened eligibility for the New Zealand Operational Service Medal for veterans who served in Malaysia and Singapore between 1959 and 1974. Given this, and the concerns raised directly with me by the veteran community, it is timely that this issue is re-examined.”

 [Related: Assistant Minister for Defence Andrew Hastie officially opens ACT Health Centre at Duntroon]