The Ex-Service Organisation Round Table (ESORT) is the main body for consultation between ex-service organisations and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). ESORT aims to address issues of strategic importance to the ex-service and defence communities and assist in setting directions for the medium to long term. ESORT’s last meeting was held in March 2023.

Written by the Department of Defence - 4 April 2023

The Interim Report by the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, released in August 2022, called for the improvement of access to information held by DVA. Together with the Department of Defence, we have since implemented a number of initiatives that ensure veterans and families are better supported when they seek access to information.

The Prime Minister’s speech to Parliament paid tribute to the 60,000 Australians who served in the conflict. More than 3000 Australians were wounded, and tragically 525 were killed. Marking the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the War, the Prime Minister launched a commemorative medallion and certificate available to every veteran of the conflict.

Each year RSL creates special limited edition ANZAC biscuit tins with unique designs that are made available in several of the major supermarkets. This year there are five different tin designs to collect. Different designs are exclusive to different supermarkets, so here’s the scoop on where you can find them.

The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSLA) has called on the Federal Government to harmonise the funeral benefits payable to service veterans to remove the existing disparity. Currently, the benefits paid range from just $2000 to $12,600, and the RSL says bringing the payments together is one of the simpler legislative changes the Government could make and could be achieved relatively quickly.

Three notable ex-service organisations, including RSL Australia, are calling for non-liability health care (NLHC) for all Defence Reservists. The group which includes the Defence Reserves Association, and the Defence Force Welfare Association, have made a joint submission to the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, Matt Keogh, seeking his support for the extension of health care to all those serving in the reserve forces.

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 …