The Alliance (ADSO) is the Defence Family’s advocate to governments, parliaments and the Australian people. It’s role is to care for the well-being of the Defence Family and protect their service entitlements.
TOMORROW Australians across the country are encouraged to commemorate the service of all those who served in the Vietnam War and the Battle of Long Tan. Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel Darren Chester said Australians should pause and reflect on the bravery, teamwork and endurance that was displayed throughout the battle and wider war. […]
HONOURING WOMEN’S CONTRIBUTION TO OUR DEFENCE WOMEN and families from across Australia whose lives have been impacted as a result of Defence service have tonight come together at the Honouring Women United by Defence Service (HWUDS) dinner in Canberra. Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel Darren Chester said the HWUDS dinner seeks to acknowledge and […]
Thousands of defence force veterans are likely on the wrong level of benefit or are missing out on injury payments they are entitled to due to the complexity and difficulty of dealing with the claims system, according to leading lawyers and advocates. As the federal government prepares to respond to a damning Productivity Commission report […]
Late afternoon August 18, 1966 South Vietnam – for three and a half hours, in the pouring rain, amid the mud and shattered trees of a rubber plantation called Long Tan, Major Harry Smith (Travis Fimmel) and his dispersed company of 108 young and mostly inexperienced Australian and New Zealand soldiers are fighting for their […]
The Defence Force Welfare Association (DFWA) has become concerned at the recent increase in ill-considered and oft-times inaccurate criticism of DVA by some in the media and on social media platforms. Commentary borders at times on crass enthusiasm for a story and less about the care of veterans. DVA and its staff in recent years […]
Boris Johnson will announce that he has appointed Oliver Dowden as Minister representing veterans in Cabinet during a visit to a military base in Scotland today (29 July 2019). This is the first time that veterans’ affairs will be overseen by dedicated ministers in the Cabinet Office to ensure the whole of government pulls together […]
Medical evidence – statement, TPs and background Statement from Liz Cosson AM CSC Secretary Department of Veterans’ Affairs “In response to today’s media reporting claiming DVA is outsourcing its compensation claim process, I offer the following statement, attached talking points and background to why we have placed a forward notice on the AusTender site. This is a public […]
NATION PAUSES TO REMEMBER THE KOREAN WAR ARMISTICE TOMORROW (27th July) marks 66 years since the Korean War Armistice was signed, ending three years of war in Korea. Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel Darren Chester is encouraging all Australians to pause and remember those who served in the Korean War and the post-armistice period. […]
One of Australia’s newest members of parliament has vowed to fight for veterans during his time in politics. The new Liberal MP for the Tasmanian seat of Braddon, Gavin Pearce, reflected on his time in the army during his first speech to parliament, saying too many veterans were taking their own lives. The former sergeant […]
The Australian Defence Force Retirees Association (ADFRA) acts on behalf of Defence Force retirees and their military superannuation grievances. DFRDB UPDATE – JULY 2019 Hi All, Most of you will aware that the Commonwealth Ombudsman’s investigation into the administration of the DFRDB scheme with respect to commutation is in progress. But we are not waiting idly for […]
Veterans’ Affairs chief promises change within the next year The Canberra Times – 19 July 2019 The head of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs has vowed to walk away from the job if she can’t improve ex-defence personnel’s experiences with the beleaguered agency within the next year. Liz Cosson has also promised to change the […]
Final report to Government and release The final inquiry report was handed to the Australian Government on 27 June 2019 and publicly released on 4 July 2019. The report sets out the Commission’s findings and recommendations on a better way to support veterans. The key message of the report is that despite recent improvements to […]