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The national branch of the veterans’ organisation has endorsed funding commitments in the Albanese government’s first federal budget.
The Albanese government tabled the 2022-23 federal budget on Tuesday evening (25 October), announcing a raft of new funding measures to support veterans and their families.
This included spending to support implementation of recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, which include:
- Investing $233.9 million to recruit 500 additional staff in the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
- Providing $87 million in funding to help reduce processing times in the claims system.
- Committing $9.5 million to develop and consult on a pathway to simplify and harmonise veteran rehabilitation and compensation legislation.
Further, the government has pledged a $1,000 increase in the annual rate of the Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Payment for eligible disabled veterans to offset cost-of-living pressures; and $46.7 million for 10 Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs across Australia.
The budget measures have been welcomed by the Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL), with national president, Greg Melick, particularly acknowledging commitments to implement royal commission recommendations.
However, he urged the government to help shape a pathway for the reforms.
“The RSL supports the commitment to appoint an additional 500 staff to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, however, given the broad challenges of recruitment across the nation, there is a very real risk that the plan is not achievable within a sensible timeframe,” he said.
“The government should now provide a clear pathway on how and when the staff will be appointed and there should be caution about whether it can be delivered in a timely way to address the backlog of claims.”
Reflecting on funding for new Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs, Melick said more hubs are needed, adding the RSL would “push to see its existing network expanded further”.
“The hubs provide a place for veterans’ services and advocacy organisations to co-exist and provide integrated support to current and ex-service personnel and families,” he said.
“Essentially, they offer a one-stop shop for a consortium of local veteran services, which can include health and mental health services, wellbeing support, advocacy, employment and housing advice, and social connection and work best when managed by ex-service organisations like the RSL.
“Importantly, the hubs and their services are available to all current and former serving Australian Defence Force members and reservists and families.”
[Related: Government lays out defence strategy in new federal budget]
