SAS hero honoured as new apartments for homeless veterans opens, problem described as a ‘national disgrace’

More homeless West Australian veterans have moved into new accommodation in South Perth in honour of SAS hero Matthew Locke.

The new apartments are the second veterans’ housing development opened by Hancock Prospecting in just over a month as part of a $200 million commitment to tackling veteran homelessness across the country.

The complex has been named the Sergeant Matthew Locke MG Apartments in honour of the Special Air Service soldier who was killed in action while on patrol in Afghanistan’s Uruzgan Province on October 25, 2007.

Sgt Locke was awarded the Medal of Gallantry for action in hazardous circumstances as the second-in-command of a Special Air Service Regiment patrol in the Special Forces Task Group whilst deployed on Operation Slipper, Afghanistan, in 2006.

He’s described as a “brave, compassionate, inspiring leader and magnificent soldier” - a “genuine hero”.

Sgt Locke’s widow Leigh, son Keegan, and his two daughters officially opened the refurbished complex, alongside several of his former SAS comrades.

Keegan Locke said having the building named after his father was a significant honour, and highlighted the ongoing need to support veterans.

“Having this home named after my father, Matthew Locke MG, is a profound honour for our family, and it means his legacy will continue to serve those who’ve worn the uniform,” he said.

“It’s also a reminder of where we are right now. Too many veterans are still falling through the cracks, and when a private citizen has to step in and do what should already be guaranteed, that’s telling.

“I’d like to sincerely thank Mrs Gina Rinehart for her extraordinary generosity.

“Mrs Rinehart saw a need and acted. That’s leadership. And on behalf of my family, thank you for doing something that will change lives and for keeping Dad’s legacy alive in the most practical way.”

Mrs Rinehart, who serves as the honorary guardian for Soldier On Australia, said the new apartments would continue supporting veterans and their families while honouring Sgt Locke’s legacy.

“Our veterans, some of our finest and most patriotic Australians, have sacrificed and even risked their all for our safety, like the greatly missed, Sgt Locke, a Special Air Service hero,” she said.

“I’m pleased to be able to provide more accommodation for those veterans who require it and their families, and especially pleased that the widow of Sgt Locke has agreed to have this building named to honour her husband.

“As Mrs Leigh Locke says, her husband always helped others, and she believes he would like to know there is now this building named in his honour which will continue to help the lives of many fine veterans.

“My deepest thanks to Matthew Locke, and I look forward to meeting his very proud family in person.”

The Air Force Association WA will manage the facility.

RAAFA WA chief executive Michelle Fyfe said the organisation had seen the difference veterans’ housing could make through its management of Sir Valston Hancock House.

“Mrs Rinehart has already made such a significant and meaningful impact on the lives of so many veterans through Sir Valston Hancock House, and RAAFA is once again delighted to partner with Hancock Prospecting right here in beautiful South Perth,” she said.

“This project is about so much more than housing. It is about getting people who have done so much for us back on their feet and giving them a solid platform from which they can re-engage with other important facets of life. While for many the housing will only be temporary, the positive impact it will have on their lives will be permanent.

“We know that, sadly, demand continues to outstrip supply when it comes to suitable veteran housing.

“No veteran should ever be left without support, without meaningful connections, or without somewhere to call home.”

Mrs Rinehart said veteran homelessness was a “national disgrace”, and called for the Federal Government to open unused Defence facilities to veterans experiencing homelessness.

“I believe it is disgraceful that Federal Governments are too arrogant to listen, or care, and do not act to open the doors of unused or scarcely used barracks, and other unused defence facilities, to our veterans in need,” she said.

“I hope other veteran organisations partially funded by the Government go beyond their ‘let’s not rock the boat’ approach, and publicly call for the immediate opening of these Defence facilities, for our veterans suffering outside in the cold of winter.

“Some argue ‘But the barracks would need to be refurbished’. Well, many of our vets learn basic carpentry, plumbing and even electrical skills, and others without such skills could paint and clean. So let’s not be stopped when such arguments are raised.

“Our veterans could all be brought in now from the awful winter, and with the Government’s action to allow, should be.”

She also called for veterans to be allowed to work without risking their pensions.

“Many struggling veterans could afford their own rentals or save towards their own homes if the Government committed to something I have long called for, that being allowing veterans who’ve served our country to choose to work as much as they want, simply paying tax on their earnings like any other Australian, and without jeopardising their hard-earned and very well-deserved pensions,” she said.

“This would be a win-win-win, and help many veterans, should they choose to work, get through the misery of poverty. Again, I hope the veteran organisations do much, much more publicly to help bring this to a prompt reality.”