What do RSL VIC State Election Candidates think about Vasey RSL Care?

* 7 July 2020 *

We recently sent all RSL Victoria state election candidates and sitting executive members a short survey to find out their views about the proposed sale of Vasey RSL Care.

What did we discover?

State President Candidates

• Mr David Jamison OAM declined to complete the survey. However, he sent us a position paper from the Ringwood RSL where he is president, and indicated that he did not support the current push to sell.
• Mr Glen Ferrarotto declined to complete the survey. However, he sent an email in which he referred us to his ballot paper statement which says, “I have firm views on current topics including I will not simply accept the current proposed closure and sale of Vasey RSL Care.”
• Dr Rob Webster OAM did not respond. (He was known to be taking a break. However, his email auto-response indicated that his colleague would be monitoring his email during his absence.)

Member Candidates – Regions 1 to 5

• Mr Simon Thorn did not respond.
• Mr Angelos Kenos completed the survey and indicated support for Vasey RSL Care not to be sold. He stated, “we need to see what is needed, what we can do and that means honest consideration of ALL the below [services that Vasey RSL Care could/should provide to the ex-service community]. And if that means expanding the facilities, establishing new ones elsewhere then that MUST be considered. I will NOT tolerate anyone who served being dumped on the streets”. He also stated that if elected, he would “Meet with Vasey’s CEO and Board within a fortnight, if possible. Suspend any sale until a state congress can consider it and inquiries made per the above suggestions.” 
• Mr Daniel Cairnes completed the survey and indicated his support for Vasey RSL Care not to be sold, saying that “Vasey RSL Care has the base platform which can be enhanced to produce positive outcomes for all stakeholders.”
• Mr Glen Ferrarotto (as State President section) declined to complete the survey. However, he sent an email in which he referred us to his ballot paper statement which says, “I have firm views on current topics including I will not simply accept the current proposed closure and sale of Vasey RSL Care.”

Member Candidates – Regions 6-10

• Mr David Martin OAM did not respond.
• Mr Mackenzie Craig did not respond.
• Mr Ronald Culliver responded to the survey and indicated that his position on the sale of Vasey RSL Care was undecided but that he was willing to attend a briefing on our strategy.
• Mr Andrew Hanns declined to complete the survey. However, he stated that he supports Vasey RSL Care in every way, and noted that he in his role at the Geelong RSL, he has had a long relationship with the tenants at the Vasey RSL Care Independent Living Units in Bell Park.. 
• Mr William Westhead did not respond.

Please note that Vasey RSL Care is not aligned to any of the sitting members or candidates and offers this information about the candidates’ views on our organisation, as far as has been provided.

We encourage all RSL sub-branches to speak directly with the candidates to ask questions about those issues that are important to them.

We also welcome questions about Vasey RSL Care from any Victorian RSL sub-branch, and are happy to provide a briefing (online) at any time prior to the election. Please contact us via communications@vaseyrslcare.org.au to request a briefing.