VETAFFAIRS DVA’S FREE NEWSPAPER FOR AUSTRALIA'S VETERAN COMMUNITY
CELEBRATING
Vol. 40 No. 2 AUGUST 2024
40 YEARS!
Ex-service, experienced – and ready to work
Being an ex can be a good thing. are set up to thrive. It highlights ‘I thrive on having a chain of command. I think being able to Ex-service people are experienced the advantages of employing veterand ready to join your organisation. ans, including through the stories work within that structure is really That’s the message of a national of 5 former ADF members in work- important.’ The campaign is part of the $24 campaign now under way to pro- places and professions you might million Veteran Employment Pronot expect. mote the benefits of employing gram, which delivers initiatives that veterans in the civilian workplace. One of them is chef Sam Green, support Australian organisations The Australian Defence Force who has thrived in the heat of all to improve employment outcomes (ADF) is an incredible training kinds of kitchens, from Air Force for veterans. The response has ground. Veterans develop a skill- mess halls to high-end restaurants. exceeded all expectations, with the set in the ADF that is difficult to After leaving the armed forces to be online videos viewed 55 million obtain and expensive to cultivate in closer to her family, she started work times by the end of July. new employees. with a large Australian food and supEmployers – ex-service people Veterans can bring valuable skills port services company, and found excel at what they do. Learn how to any workplace or industry – skills that her skills were very transferable. and where to connect with the vetlike leadership, teamwork, agility ‘I spent more than three years eran talent pool and find advice to and the ability to work well under in the Air Force, where I received help you create a workplace where pressure. Many of these skills and excellent training to operate a bulk veterans perform at their best, at capabilities are readily transferrable food service, and found a vocation www.veteransemployment.gov.au. to the civilian workforce. I loved,’ Sam says. ‘I was the chef The campaign is running nationThis campaign aims to educate supervisor at Gallipoli Barracks in ally and includes newspaper and employers on the diversity of skills Brisbane and that was very similar magazine, radio and television ads, veterans can bring and provide the to mining, and basically identical to online videos and much more. Keep necessary advice to make sure they the work when I was in the RAAF. an eye out!
Open Arms’ new anti-stress course
13 9
Like this newspaper? We want your feedback!
16
Understanding moral injury
20
Indigenous veterans unite
22
New veterans’ legislation introduced into the Parliament The Australian Government has introduced legislation into the Parliament to simplify and harmonise the veterans’ rehabilitation and compensation framework. This is another important step the Government has taken to respond to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s Interim Report. The Bill would consolidate legislation governing veterans’ compensation and rehabilitation into the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA). It will also introduce a range of enhancements to the MRCA to improve compensation arrangements for veterans.
As of 1 July 2026, the Veterans’ The Bill is the result of significant Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) and community consultation underthe Safety, Rehabilitation and taken over 3 rounds since late 2022. Compensation (Defence-related More than 50 consultation sessions Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA) will close were conducted in 2023 and 2024 to new compensation and reha- and 569 submissions were received. bilitation claims. An underlying DVA found there was broad support principle of the Bill is that there will within the veteran community for a be no reduction in payments that single ongoing Act. veterans or families have previously The Senate referred the Bill to the received or are currently receiving. Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and These changes will address the Trade Legislation Committee for complexity of the current tri-Act inquiry and report by 3 October 2024. model which makes it difficult for If passed, the Bill will make the veterans, families and represent- claims system easier to navigate and atives to navigate the system, and help veterans and families receive causes processing inefficiencies and the support and services you are entitled to. delays for DVA.
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs respects and gives thanks to all who have served in our Defence Force, and the families who support them.
CONTENTS NEWS............................................... 2–6 HEALTH & WELLBEING.................... 7–12 OPEN ARMS....................................... 13 WIDOWS’ NEWS................................. 14 FAMILIES...................................... 15–16 ESO NEWS......................................... 17 DEFENCE NEWS................................. 18 TRANSITION...................................... 19 FEATURES ................................... 20–22 BOOKSHELF................................. 23–25 COMMEMORATIONS..................... 26–29 AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL........... 30 NOTICEBOARD.............................. 31–32