Foreword

Greg Melick RSL

The of The RSL Today

RSL Australia provides advocacy, welfare, support and camaraderie for current and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members. In addition, we lead the nation in commemorative services to acknowledge the invaluable contribution those who have served have made and sacrificed on our behalf.

Our role as advocates

Australian veterans and their families count on the RSL to advocate on their behalf on issues and policies supporting their welfare. We have taken this role seriously since our inception in 1916 and take it just as seriously today.

In our advocacy role, we continue to challenge the legislative complexity and budgetary constraints at a Federal Government level, lobbying for sustainable demand-driven funding of the services most in need.

We’ve seen the demand for veteran services rise dramatically, and it is the responsibility of the Australian Government to meet this demand. The federated model of the League supports our efforts in engaging at all levels of Government. We have established relationships with elected representatives across all states and territories, making us uniquely positioned to lobby for positive change effectively. Through the Royal Commission and a new Government, we see an opportunity to change the face of veterans’ affairs in Australia. With a united RSL working in collaboration with other ESOs, we can hold the Government accountable and help implement the change recommended and needed to improve the lives of veterans and their families.

In our Pre-Budget Submission to the Treasury, we repeated our call to consolidate the three Acts covering veterans’ entitlements into a single piece of legislation to simplify claims for veterans and their families. Something we have been advocating for many years. It would reduce the backlog of DVA claims to ensure veterans and their families are not left waiting for entitlements. We were pleased with the Government’s announcement in February that they plan to undertake this work.

In our submission, we also called for the Government to make provisions in the 2023-24 Budget for:

• Implementing the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, including funding for establishing an independent body to oversee this, led by a National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Wellbeing.

• The immediate extension of non-liability healthcare for mental health treatment to ADF reservists on completion of the enlistment process.

• Funding to enable DVA to enhance its Advocacy Training and Development Program for volunteer and paid advocates to help veterans navigate the DVA claims process.

• The removal of significant barriers currently faced by veterans when accessing timely and appropriate healthcare, particularly by reviewing and increasing the DVA fee schedule to better align it to the actual cost of healthcare.

• A tangible reduction in the administrative burden placed on healthcare providers in accessing DVA remuneration.

• Provisions that enable harmonisation of the funeral benefits payable by DVA under the VEA, MRCA and DRCA so that all payments are aligned at the current highest maximum rate. To stay informed about what we are lobbying for, visit: www.rslaustralia.org/representation

Supporting the wellbeing of veterans

RSL Australia offers national services such as the RSL Veterans’ Employment Program, which helps veterans and their family members find rewarding work and RSL Active, which offers fun recreation opportunities. The RSL State branches also offer services tailored to their communities.

However, we realise we can’t provide everything for everyone, and there are plenty of other wonderful organisations out there that also offer excellent services for veterans. That’s why RSL Australia has partnered with veteran-owned technology provider, Servulink, to develop the Veterans’ Catalogue. Veterans’ Catalogue is an innovative web application designed to alleviate the complexities of finding the right services or support, anywhere in Australia. It has smart search features and geo-located search results so that veterans and their families are empowered to find and connect with the services they need when and where they need them.

Veterans’ Catalogue is free to access. I encourage you to try it today!

www.rslaustralia.org/veterans-catalogue

Leading the nation in commemoration

The RSL is committed to leading the nation in commemorative services, and we invite all Australians to honour the contribution of our service personnel by participating in ANZAC Day commemorations on Tuesday, 25 April 2023.

On 25 April 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers faced their first major battle of World War I. They fought with endurance, courage, ingenuity, good humour, and mateship – values we’ve come to know as the ANZAC spirit and values that live on in us.

There’s no greater way to honour our ANZACs – and all who followed in their footsteps – than by attending an ANZAC Day service and keeping the ANZAC spirit alive.

While initially, ANZAC Day commemorated those who served and sacrificed their lives in the Great War, the date has become a national day to recognise the contribution of the 1.5 million service personnel who have served our country in all conflicts, wars and peacekeeping operations.

You can honour our veterans by:

• Attending a service or march

• Buying RSL ANZAC Biscuits or a Badge

• Donating to the ANZAC Appeal: www.anzacappeal.com

Find a service near you by visiting our website: www.rslaustralia.org/anzac-day

We’ll see you there.