AUSTRALIA | RSL Australia has reiterated its call for all sides of the Federal Parliament to pass new laws governing veteran compensation and entitlements without further delay.
The RSL has called for the simplification and harmonisation of veteran rehabilitation, compensation and entitlement laws over many years, and as far back as August 2022, the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide agreed with submissions made by the RSL and many ESOs and recommended that Government take urgent action to achieve this.
The Royal Commission found existing laws to be complex and confusing, leading to frustrating delays in processing claims. Difficulty navigating the claims system and lengthy delays in receiving entitlements have impacted veterans’ mental health, leading to suicidality and suicide.
The Government’s response in the form of the Veterans’ Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Bill 2024 was expected to be passed before Christmas, but is currently awaiting debate in the Senate.
RSL Australia President Greg Melick said it’s imperative the Bill is passed as a priority in the current parliamentary sitting.
“The mental health and wellbeing of our veterans continues to be put at risk while the current complex and confusing compensation framework remains in effect, and we cannot afford for this critical piece of legislation not to be passed in this term of Parliament. We urge the Government, Opposition and crossbench to prioritise the passing of this bill before Parliament rises for the election,” said Melick.
Melick noted the Government had moved a late amendment to the bill which would establish the new Defence and Veterans’ Services Commission (DVSC) to oversee system reform across the whole Defence ecosystem.
“It’s certainly not ideal that this late amendment, to establish the DVSC within the Defence portfolio, is being rushed through without proper consultation. However, the RSL does not oppose this amendment if it ensures the passage of this critical piece of legislation,” he said.
RSL NSW President Mick Bainbridge has backed the national body’s call for the legislation to be passed without further delay.
“Australia owes it to the brave men and women who have made unique sacrifices in service of our nation to ensure they have timely access to the support they need and deserve, They have been let down by a deeply flawed compensation system for far too long – a complex, complicated system that has contributed to a suicide crisis amongst our Defence and veteran population,” he said.
“There should be no higher priority in the final four sitting days before the election than passing this vital legislation to fix a broken system that has significantly impacted our veterans, and their families, who have given so much in service of our country.”
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