Museum millions “completely secure”, government says

The Victorian Government has rebuked claims they are refusing to release $10 million promised to the National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM) in 2022, and said the funding “remains completely secure”.

 As reported in The Advertiser, senior NVVM board members this week said they were “deeply concerned” the funding was at risk of slipping away, after requesting the funding be released in September to no avail.

 In a statement yesterday, outgoing Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale MP sought to clarify why the funding had not yet been released by the government.

 “Taxpayer funds cannot legally be released to sit in a bank account when a project has not yet secured its remaining budget or established clear project timelines,” the local MP said.

 “State infrastructure grants are legally tied to specific, strict project milestones – including signing major construction contracts, breaking ground, and commencing physical works.

 “These measures exist to protect taxpayer money and ensure public funds are directed into active builds.”

Ms Crugnale MP said the $10 million was intended as a “foundational anchor” to leverage further funding for the new NVVM – which blew out from an initial price tag of $37 million to at least $80 million as board members struggled to secure additional backing.

 “We completely acknowledge that this journey has not been easy, and the museum has faced extraordinary hurdles along the way,” the local MP said.

 “However, we have not failed on this front.”

 Securing funding has not been the only headache to plague the new NVVM, with board members left “gutted” after VCAT refusing a planning permit for the site in 2023, overturning approval from the Bass Coast Shire Council in 2022.

 In 2024, the Victorian Government overruled VCAT’s decision and allowed for the museum to go ahead, in what was believed to be an unprecedented ministerial intervention.

 Late last week, The Advertiser asked Ms Crugnale MP to respond to a recent Herald Sun article on the issue that led with the online headline: “‘Spiritual home’ of Vietnam War faces uncertain future as Labor refuses funding.”

 In her statement yesterday, Ms Crugnale MP shot back at such claims.

 “To suggest we have walked away from our commitment completely misrepresents how public finance works,” she said.

 “Our $10 million funding commitment remains completely secure. If re-elected, a returned Labor Government looks forward to continuing to work closely with the board to deliver the new museum for our veteran community.”

 The Advertiser has contacted the NVVM board, who are preparing a response.

 More details in next week’s paper.