Victorian veterans will have another uncertain four weeks ahead with the State Government still yet to provide details on attendance levels and vaccination status for Remembrance Day commemorations across the state.
The State Government’s roadmap indicates that by November 5, outdoor events will be open to fully vaccinated Victorians, at 50 per cent capacity.
It has left thousands of local RSLs wondering if the Government expects them to stop veterans and their families, for those who are unvaccinated, from coming together to mark Remembrance Day.
Cenotaphs are outside, open-air settings. The notion that local RSLs will be able to determine a 50 per cent capacity is ridiculous.
But four weeks out, Veterans Minister Shaun Leane is silent.
Remembrance Day is a time when all members of the community should be able to gather to honour all who served and in particular those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The Minister should announce rapid testing as an additional option for attendance for those who are not vaccinated.
After the cancellation and scaling back of commemorations in the past 18 months, veterans and all Victorians deserve an opportunity to come together to pay our respects.