The RSL has hailed the Federal Government’s intention announced today, to simplify legislation governing Veterans’ compensation, rehabilitation, and other entitlements as long overdue. The RSL has been calling for many years for the consolidation of the current legislation comprising three Acts into a single piece of legislation to simplify claims for veterans and their families. The Government’s announcement to reform the legislation is a significant step forward.

Australia’s largest ex-service organisation has outlined a list of critical budget policy initiatives to immediately improve access to services and entitlements for veterans and their families.

RSL Australia has made a detailed pre-budget submission to the Australian Government calling for financial provisions to break down bureaucracy in the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and for funding to be made available for the prompt implementation of recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

RSL Australia is mourning the passing of distinguished service veteran and Australian Senator Jim Molan AO DSC. A former major-general in the Australian Army, Jim Molan represented New South Wales in the Senate since 2019 and bravely battled cancer after being diagnosed in 2021. Jim Molan had an enormous sense of duty and was a great servant of his country, going on to serve in the Australian Parliament following his distinguished military career.

With a new year ahead and plenty of challenges to tackle, it is also a time to reflect on the year that’s been; to acknowledge our shared accomplishments and some of the significant events that shaped 2022 for RSL Australia. Here are 10 of RSL Australia’s highlights and defining projects of 2022.

RSL Australia has welcomed the Commonwealth Government’s relaxation of earning limits impacting on veterans and other pensions.

The decision means that eligible Veterans and pensioners over age pension age can earn more income from working without reducing their pension, just in time to take advantage of seasonal jobs. Greg Melick welcomed the Government’s announcement and said it would provide valuable assistance for many veterans who are on fixed incomes and hurting from cost-of-living pressures.

To keep you informed about the Hearings from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, the RSL Royal Commission Office has prepared a summary of the Wagga Wagga Hearing Block, including the key themes examined so far and the actions of the League in response. The next Hearing Block will begin in Perth on 15 May 2023.

On Sunday 11 December, a team of Australian Defence Force (ADF) veterans will be taking on a rival Afghan Interpreters team.

The Twenty20 match, to be played at the Kilburn Cricket Club in Adelaide is being sponsored by RSL South Australia to celebrate the friendship and service of the veterans and the locally engaged interpreters and translators. 

“The RSL acknowledges and supports the Afghan interpreters and translators and ADF veterans who served on the front lines in Afghanistan and recognises the mateship and mutual respect that was fostered during the war in that country.

MEDIA RELEASE: Senior Veteran organisation leaders are calling on the federal government to direct the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) General Angus Campbell to respect the presumption of innocence for soldiers accused of yet to be proven war crime allegations and to suspend administrative action against soldiers and officers until legal proceedings have been concluded.

MEDIA RELEASE: The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) is closely monitoring moves for the return of honours and/or medals awarded to Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel who served in the Afghanistan war.

This follows the reported demand from the chief of the Australian Defence Force, General Angus Campbell, for senior officers to justify why they should keep awards, an outcome of the Brereton Inquiry into alleged war crimes and subsequent inquiries.

hanistan War veterans.

MEDIA RELEASE: Australia’s Ex-Service Organisation (ESO) sector has called for a national peak body to represent and advocate the needs of Australian veterans, their families, and ESO organisations. The move follows a forum coordinated by the RSL and attended by representatives of more than 50 different ESOs.

MEDIA RELEASE: RSL Australia is conducting extensive research, including inviting input from its national membership, non-member veterans, and interested parties to help shape its future direction and enable it to better serve veterans and their families.

National President Greg Melick said the research project would help the organisation to better understand the current needs and priorities of both member and non-member veterans so RSLA can continue to meet the needs of today’s veterans well into the future

MEDIA RELEASE: The public will be stopped in their tracks this Friday as the Last Post is played by buglers stationed at significant landmarks across the country.

This street activation led by several State Branches of the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSLA) is aimed at encouraging Australians to remember to remember at 11 AM on 11 November as they go about their day-to-day activities in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

RSL Australia will host a National Forum for Ex-Service Organisations (ESOs), the first in a series of planned events to address the emerging findings of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

The event, which will be held on Tuesday, 15 November 2022, will give representatives from Australia’s leading ESOs an opportunity to meet in person to discuss how they can collaborate to help meet the urgent needs of the Defence community, veterans, and their families.

RSL Australia is calling on Australians to again pause this Friday, 11 November 2022, to remember and honour those who have sacrificed in serving our nation.

In a national message to mark Remembrance Day, RSL Australia President Greg Melick asked all Australians to unite and ‘remember to remember’ the service and sacrifice made by our veterans and currently serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) for over a centenary.

Remembrance Day can be commemorated by attending a state or local service hosted by an RSL Branch or Sub-Branch …

Remembrance Day is day to reflect and honour those who served and sacrificed in all wars and conflicts. Whether you attend a service, wear a poppy or simply pause for a minute of reflection, there are many ways you can commemorate this Remembrance Day. Whatever you choose, it is important we all ‘Remember to Remember’.

The much-anticipated veterans’ catalogue of services web application, now branded as the ‘Veterans’ Catalogue’, went live today (Tuesday, November 1, 2022). The app has been developed with a vision of empowering veterans and their families to more easily find and access services and support when needed.

This coming Remembrance Day on the 11th of November 2022, a special #RememBEARance campaign has been launched by Defence Families and Legacy which has received RSL Australia’s support.

To acknowledge the strength and service of our Defence families, the campaign encourages families attending commemorative services to lay a small bear alongside their wreaths to acknowledge the families of veterans and current serving Australian Defence Force members.

RSL is pleased to see key policy matters addressed including reforms recommended by the current Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide and moving forward on the establishment of a network of additional Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs.

Invitation to RSL Members: You are invited to attend the 31st Annual Commemoration National Merchant Navy War Memorial, Kings Park Canberra on Sunday 23 October commencing at 1100 hours followed by morning tea on site.

The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) says the Australian War Memorial in Canberra and existing war memorials and Cenotaphs around the country should remain exclusively to honour Australian Defence Force personnel and peacekeepers who have served in wartime theatres of conflict.

While the RSL supports the establishment of memorials to mark those killed in frontier conflicts, these should be separate from the Australian War Memorial and the Cenotaphs located around Australia.