The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide conducted its final block of public hearings in Sydney from Monday, 4 March to Thursday, 28 March 2024. The RSL has prepared a summary of the Sydney Hearing Block, including the key themes examined so far and the actions taken by the League in response.

The Lest We Forget Anzac Day Tribute Concert returns to the Sydney Town Hall on Anzac Day 2024. 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.

RSL Australia attended the ESORT (Ex-Service Organisation Round Table) meeting on Wednesday, 28 February 2024. Here is the communique provided by DVA summarising the meeting.

National President Greg Melick said on behalf of the veteran community, the RSL thanked those who presented for their input and contributions, as well as those who contributed to the RSL’s submission. “The veterans, their families, ex-service organisation representatives, service and veteran personnel and others who have appeared before the Royal Commission have made vital contributions that should achieve a positive outcome for our people” Greg Melick said.

The RSL is continuing its call on the Australian Government to review the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) fee schedule for veteran healthcare and to significantly increase payments. The RSL wants the DVA fee schedule indexed annually to the Consumer Price Index and a one-off increase to account for the Medicare indexation freezes imposed over the past decade.

Each year the RSL creates special limited edition Anzac biscuit tins with unique designs that are made available in participating Coles, Aldi’s and Independent Stores. The 2024 limited edition RSL Anzac Biscuit tins are due in-store by 1 April. There are four different tin designs to collect. Different designs are exclusive to different stores, so here’s the scoop on where you can find them.

The RSL has lodged a submission calling for changes to the Government’s proposed new Aged Care Legislation to improve outcomes for veterans, widow(er)s and their families. RSL National President Greg Melick said there were specific gaps in the legislation that needed to be addressed to ensure that veterans, widow(er)s and their families were not disadvantaged when they moved into aged care. This has formed the basis of the RSL’s submission provided as feedback to the draft Bill.

The RSL has strongly condemned the vandalisation of the Vietnam War Memorial in Canberra. Overnight, vandals painted graffiti on the Vietnam War Memorial on Anzac Parade in an apparent protest to highlight the situation in Gaza. “People are entitled to protest, but the desecration of a memorial to those who served, suffered and died in the Vietnam conflict is to be deplored,” Greg Melick said.

The RSL has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement of February 20 to more than double the Navy’s combat fleet, following the release of the much-anticipated Enhanced Lethality Surface Combatant Fleet review. However, the RSL has questioned the commitment to wider Defence readiness and is concerned that the Army has been neglected in the overall strategic upgrade. 

The RSL has called for the establishment of a robust participant consent mechanism to be included in any new program following the cessation of the Veterans’ MATES medical research program.  The RSL says that a replacement program must have a robust mechanism to ensure informed consent and to protect participants’ privacy. 

Our 2024 policy priorities continue to focus on the areas the RSL has been lobbying for in 2023. Find out what we will be advocating for in 2024.

The RSL is requesting the Federal Government use the 2024-25 Budget to strengthen the health and wellbeing of veterans and their families. “Investing in the health and wellbeing of veterans and their families is a sound investment for all Australians and the RSL stands ready to support the Australian Government in better serving those who have served us,” Greg Melick said.

The RSL has responded to the Royal Commission into Defence and Suicide’s consultation paper.

Founding members of the League set out to lobby for better benefits, treatment and the welfare of veterans.

One hundred seven years on, our core mission remains the same.

Read about the impact RSL Australia has made in 2023.

In a national message to mark Remembrance Day, RSL Australia President Greg Melick asked all Australians to unite and ‘remember to remember’ by observing a minute’s silence at 11 a.m. this Saturday to honour those who have bravely served our country and continue to serve our country today.

The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) has applauded today’s lifting of the Veteran Access Payment for certain general practitioner services and says the incentive should improve access to medical services for many veterans.

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

Social media comments that the RSL has released a new Remembrance Day commemorative poppy pin incorporating the pride rainbow are incorrect.

The deadline for submissions to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide is less than a month away. The RSL is calling for a National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Wellbeing to lead implementation of the forthcoming recommendations of the Royal Commission; to ensure there is a mechanism to keep a permanent watch on this issue and continue to hold Government, Defence and others to account.

RSL Australia is pleased to announce that Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh MP, the Defence Force Chief of Personnel Lieutenant General Natasha Fox, Department of Veterans’ Affairs Secretary Alison Frame and Royal Commissioners Kaldas, Brown and Douglas will address the forthcoming National Forum for Ex-Service Organisations (ESOs) on 10 October. Forum sessions will be co-facilitated by leaders from across the ESO sector.