Broad Support for New Veterans’ Entitlements Bill
MEDIA RELEASE
The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) has given its broad support to the Government’s Veterans’ Entitlements Bill (Veterans' entitlements, treatments and support (simplification and harmonisation) Bill 2024) which is currently before the parliament.
The RSL has long advocated for the simplification of veterans’ rehabilitation and entitlements legislation to make it easier and quicker for veterans and eligible family members to access entitlements and benefits to support their health and wellbeing, and strongly supports the Government’s commitment to harmonise three existing legislative provisions into a single Act.
In a detailed submission to the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee, the RSL has outlined its support for key provisions in the Bill and provided further information to assist the Committee’s deliberations.
The submission, made on behalf of RSL Australia with the agreement of its State and Territory Branches following consultation with their membership, builds on the RSL’s earlier submission of April this year to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) supporting its development of the new Bill.
RSL Australia President Greg Melick says overall, members are supportive of the general thrust of the Bill while acknowledging the challenges of contributing to a complex legislative reform process.
“This reform is a significant undertaking that will impact current and future veterans. As such the RSL strongly supports the ‘grandfathering’ of existing benefits intended to ensure that no current DVA client will lose existing entitlements,” Greg Melick said.
“We also support the proposed implementation timeframe and are preparing for the new legislation to take effect from 1 July 2026.”
The RSL has noted its positive experiences engaging with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs as the significant work of simplifying legislation has progressed.
“Although timeframes have been tight, the Department is to be commended for its proactive consultation with the veteran community and the RSL, and in responding to the many specific questions and queries put by the League,” Greg Melick said.
“The Senate Committee’s inquiry into the Veterans’ Entitlements Bill is welcomed as it has provided the RSL with the opportunity to further inform that work.
“Our submission addresses priority issues that the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs has identified in the scope of the legislative harmonisation reform process, as well as identifying issues that RSL submits are important to the Committee’s inquiry. It also provides information on a small number of issues which members have asked to be included in the submission.
“Particularly, the RSL has submitted that the Bill must necessarily include a clear definition of ‘veteran’ and provisions for that definition to be included in Section 5 of the revised legislation. The League has also suggested several other improvements to the Bill.”
Greg Melick said it was critical the contribution and sacrifice of those who have served Australia in wars and armed conflicts continued to be recognised and they and their families were properly compensated and cared for.
“The new Act can further this aim, and the RSL asks the Senate Committee to ensure that the health and wellbeing of veterans and their families is at the forefront of their deliberations,” he said.
