From the Minister
The Hon Matt Keogh MP
Minister for Veterans' Affairs
Minister for Defence Personnel
This Christmas, I’d like to take the opportunity to say thank you to our Defence personnel, veterans and their families for your service and sacrifice this year. And thank you also to all the DVA staff that have been working hard to reduce backlogs and wait times for our veterans.
Looking back on this year there have been a number of significant anniversaries, from the 80th anniversaries of the Battle for Australia, Kokoda and the sinking of the HMAS Armidale to the 75th anniversary of Peacekeeping and the 50th anniversary of the end of National Service.
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has been undertaking hearings across the country all year. I thank everyone who has contributed to those, and encourage anyone who is able, to make a submission before October 2023.
In September, I outlined the Albanese Government’s response to the Royal Commissioners’ Interim Report, responding to all 13 recommendations. I’m proud that we’ve already made inroads into those recommendations, including employing hundreds of additional DVA staff to get through the backlog of claims. I appreciate the frustration that comes with waiting for your claims to be processed. That backlog is coming down, and we’re working to improve ICT systems and simplify the legislation to make it easier to understand and faster to process as well.
I know this year would not have been easy for many veterans and families, and we’re working to improve that. We are getting on with the job.
In just the first six months of this new government we’ve implemented improved access to crisis support for veteran families, expanded education opportunities, grown the Psychiatric Assistance Dog program and increased the TPI pension.
There’s no doubt we have more to do, and there’s a lot in the works.
Early in 2023 we’ll be meeting with veterans across the country to determine what our new Veterans’ and Families’ hubs will look like. I’m conscious that we can’t take a ‘cookie-cutter’ approach to those hubs; what will best benefit one community may not be required in another. Please keep an eye out for those sessions, to be undertaken in February and March.
Recently we celebrated the Prime Minister’s National Veteran Employment Awards. I was struck by the achievements and talent of so many of our veterans, veteran business and defence partners at the awards. Congratulations to all nominees, finalists and winners.
There is no doubt veterans and defence families have so much to offer the civilian workforce. Through our Veteran Employment Program we’ll be working to improve the community’s understanding of the excellent skills you all have to offer when you’ve completed your time in the ADF.
Also, next year we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. We’ll be marking that anniversary through a series of activities throughout the year.
I wish to conclude by thanking outgoing Secretary of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Liz Cosson for her work for veterans and families.
It is fair to say, that a bit like me, Liz was taking on a daunting task when she came into her role. She has taken on the necessary internal reforms and process improvements as best able with the resourcing and reform constraints placed upon her by the previous Government.
Liz has worked to not only support veterans through illness, but transforming and expanding the remit of DVA to support the overall wellbeing of veterans and their families. Liz has overseen the increased integration between Defence and DVA to ensure that people don’t fall through the cracks when they leave service. Importantly, Liz has worked with me and the new Albanese Government to make sure we can get on with the job of implementing our important election commitments and response to the Royal Commission, all for the benefit of veterans and their families.
So I thank Liz for her service in the Army, in Defence, in the public service and in DVA in particular. Liz, I wish you all the very best in the next chapter of your life.
Alison Frame has been appointed as the new Secretary of DVA. She brings a background in frontline service delivery and central government policy reform – both key aspects of improving the way our Government will deliver on a better future for our veteran community.
I look forward to working closely with Alison in continuing the work of improving service delivery to, and the legislative reform for supporting our veterans and families.
Finally, Christmas is a difficult time for many, if you need support please contact Open Arms on 1800 011 046.
Thank you to our veterans and families for your ongoing service and sacrifice.
Merry Christmas.
Speaking at the National Servicemen’s Commemorative Service at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra on 8 September