The RSL says the Government must prioritise supporting and increasing both frontline and supporting Defence personnel, in line with the recommendations of the Defence Strategic Review (DSR). Investing in the recruitment and the retention of our Defence Force personnel was one of the stated six key pillars of the Review and the other five will fail if this pillar is not achieved.

Next week’s Federal Budget must include initiatives that improve the lives of the nation’s veterans and their families, and funding to address inequities and barriers that continue to be experienced by the veteran community. It is important that it provides the funding to fully implement the recommendations of the current Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

The RSL has welcomed the release of the Defence Strategic Review and the Government’s apparent commitment to increase the investment in Australia’s military capacity. However, the enhanced capabilities must be as a result of long overdue increased defence spending rather than creating an unbalanced Australian Defence Force (ADF) by ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul’.

The Returned & Services League of Tasmania State Branch launched the Tasmanian Victoria Cross (VC) trail in Huonville in conjunction with the Huon Vally Mayor, Sally Doyle. A pilot trial in the Huon Valley, it recognises and commends the 4 VC recipients from the area.

RSL Australia encourages Australians to honour the nation’s veterans and service personnel on ANZAC Day this coming Tuesday. National President Greg Melick said it was heartening that the significance of ANZAC Day appeared to build with every generation and this year should see a reinforcement of that growth.

Congratulations to the 2023 winners of the RSL ANZAC of the Year Awards and the ANZAC Peace Prize! This year's Award recipients exemplify the Spirit of ANZAC in the community through their dedication and commitment to the benefit of others. They are exemplars of community service and an inspiration to all Australians.

This very special commemoration will feature over one hundred of Australia’s best military, veteran and civilian artists all coming together to honour the Fallen at the Sydney Town Hall on ANZAC Day. Tickets are free but registration is essential.

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.