Funding Cut for Invictus Australia Threatens Veteran Support and 2027 Games Participation

The Australian federal government has cut funding for Invictus Australia in the latest budget, ending a $9 million program that provided support over three years beginning in 2022–23. The funding was extended last year but was not renewed in the budget tabled on Tuesday.

Invictus Australia CEO Michael Hartung stated he was informed only hours before the budget was released.

Critical Impact on Veteran Wellbeing

Invictus Games athlete Vanessa Broughill delivered a stark warning about the consequences of the funding cut:

"It can be life-threatening if I'm going to be brutally honest. We lose six veterans a month to suicide and a lot of the time that can be taken back to the fact that they feel like they have no support."

CEO Michael Hartung described the decision as devastating:

"To have this support removed in full, with no transition or alternative funding pathway, is a devastating blow... to the veterans and families who depend on these programs to stay connected, well and alive."

Government Response

Minister for Veteran's Affairs and Defence Personnel Matt Keogh thanked Invictus Australia for its "effective work" and stated that the Veteran and Family Wellbeing Agency will develop a competitive program to deliver wellbeing initiatives.

Broader Consequences

Hartung warned that the funding cut may prevent Australia from sending a team to the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham.

Background

Invictus Australia is a non-profit organization that supports veterans with injuries and mental health conditions to participate in the Invictus Games and community sport. The Invictus Games were launched by Prince Harry in 2014 and have been held seven times, including in Sydney in 2018.

Approximately three-quarters of the organization's funding came from the federal government. The organization connects tens of thousands of veterans to community sport each year and sends around 50 athletes to the Invictus Games.