Police Veterans Victoria’s future ‘on the line’ after government pledge backtrack

The future of a volunteer organisation helping police going through a tough time is “on the line” after the Andrews government backtracked on a promise to provide funding.

Speaking at a corporate charity lunch in May, former police minister Lisa Neville “gave a very strong commitment” to support Police Veterans Victoria.

“We didn’t actually put a $400,000 figure on it,” chief executive of Police Veterans Victoria, David McGowan, told Neil Mitchell.

“That was a conversation I had with Anthony Carbines when he became Police Minister.

“He just said to me ‘Can you put through a formal request and put a figure on it?’.”

But Mr McGowan has now received a letter from the Police Minister’s office “saying that there’s money going towards serving and veteran police through various programs but there was nothing coming to us”.

Press PLAY below to hear the Police Veterans Victoria CEO telling Neil Mitchell what’s unfolded

A Victorian government statement provided to 3AW Mornings says “the former Minister made no promises regarding funding for PVV”.

But Jenny, a police veteran who was at the corporate charity lunch where Ms Neville spoke in May, says “that’s a lie”.

“I remember quite vividly Lisa Neville was so pleased to be able to annoucne government funding for PVV and the vibe in the room was so ecstatic when she said that. So for the government to say she didn’t commit funding is an outright lie,” she told Neil Mitchell.

The state opposition has pledged to provide the funding if elected later this month.

Press PLAY below to hear what police veteran Jenny recalls