The appointment of former Labor defence minister Stephen Smith and former CDF Angus Houston to conduct of a strategic review of the Australian Defence Force does not inspire confidence among those Australians with recent memories of senior defence administration. If any review of future Australian strategic preparedness is to be effective, it needs to be […]
Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie gave her evidence as a lived experience witness to the Royal Commission (which she was an instrumental party in bringing to fruition) in Hobart today. The leader of the Jacqui Lambie Network answered questions on her 10 years of service in the armed forces and her treatment by the Department of […]
The Australian Government has today committed $55 million to better support the wellbeing of Australian Veterans. This commitment consists of $22 million in funding to provide psychiatric assistance dogs to veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and $33 million to extend access to free medical treatment for veterans. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh […]
With a former chief of defence and defence minister set to lead the largest review of the Australian military in decades, reactions toward the announcement have been divided. This week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles held a press conference in Canberra to announce the launch of […]
A message from our Director This month marks one year since the establishment of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide hearings. From Canberra to Townsville, we have witnessed bravery, insight, and a commitment to making change from veterans, serving defence members and others in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) community who have come […]
A former chief of the defence force and a former defence minister are set to lead the largest review of the Australian military in over three decades. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles have announced the launch of a strategic review of the Australian Defence Force, set to be […]
Dear members and friends, Since the last newsletter, Australia has elected a new Government. Although many were dismayed that Defence personnel and veterans’ issues had very little focus during the election campaign, we should not take the positive view that change will often bring new opportunities. Our general approach to advocacy remains to […]
The Albanese Government is committed to integrity, honesty and accountability and Ministers in my Government (including Assistant Ministers) will observe standards of probity, governance and behaviour worthy of the Australian people. Ministers hold high public office and are entrusted with considerable privilege and power. The people of Australia are entitled to expect that, in the […]
CHARLES McMoran Wilson enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps as a 32- year-old specialist physician on the declaration of war in August 1914. As 1Bn Royal Fusiliers RMO until 1917, then senior medical officer at a large hospital at Boulogne, France he was intimately familiar with the multiple physical and mental injuries suffered by […]
The content includes: ABS Analytical Article findings Some key insights from census results Location of veterans, serving members, and DVA clients Where to get other DVA data It should be noted that ESORT through DVA was responsible for the inclusion of Defence veterans and serving personnel in the ABS census and as can be seen, […]
The Government has today committed to ensuring veterans and veteran families have theservices they deserve, committing an additional $70.6 million in funding over four years toincrease Veterans’ Home Care fees for domestic assistance and personal care services. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh said this funding will help to ensure importantdomestic assistance and personal care […]
Further to our last report dated 5th July 2022 you will recall the Defence Departments “late” submission and my exchange of correspondence with The Tribunal seeking a copy of the Defence submission. Defence has not yet given its approval for the Tribunal to release its submission. Given this inordinate delay I sent this email to DVA Minister […]