Port Lincoln RSL

The Hon. S.L. GAME (14:43): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before directing a question to the Minister for Primary Industries regarding the Port Lincoln RSL.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.L. GAME: InDaily recently reported that the Port Lincoln RSL is asking for public support after federal government funding that assists volunteers to maintain their local cemetery for veterans was withdrawn in June this year. The Garden of Remembrance is owned by the Port Lincoln RSL and is the final resting place of more than 550 veterans and their spouses. It has traditionally been maintained with the support of an annual federal government grant of $25,000 and donations from the community.

The Garden of Remembrance is one of only four cemeteries in Australia entirely owned and maintained by the local RSL. A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated by the Port Lincoln RSL, and it is investigating other government grants and avenues for funding the maintenance of the cemetery. My questions to the minister are:

1. Is the government aware the Port Lincoln RSL has had its funding cut, making it difficult to fulfil its commitment to maintaining the graves of our veterans, and has the government approached the federal Minister for Veterans' Affairs to have this funding reinstated?

2. In the absence of federal funding assistance, will the Malinauskas government financially assist the Port Lincoln RSL?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:45): I thank the honourable member for her question. I will refer it to the Minister for Veterans Affairs in the other place and bring back a response.