Feedback sought on key Royal Commission recommendations
RSL Victoria supports the findings of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide and the implementation of the 122 recommendations. RSL Victoria is committed to playing its part in working with government, the RSL Nationally, the ESO Sector, community agencies and veterans and their families to maximise the wellbeing of the Veteran community.
As yet, the government has not announced its acceptance of the Royal Commission’s Final Report, nor made any agreement to implement its full recommendations. As such, we believe that there is a small but important window of opportunity to influence those final decisions.
RSL National President, Greg Melick, wrote to the Prime Minister on 26 September offering the RSL’s support and expertise to assist the government in responding to the final report and to highlight seven recommendations that, if implemented quickly, will make a significant difference to veterans.
The seven recommendations cover service personnel transitioning to civilian life, a new agency and national funding agreement for veteran wellbeing, improving veteran advocacy, establishing a peak body for ex-service organisations, more autonomy for veterans in choosing services and establishing a new entity to oversee system reform across the Defence ecosystem.
RSL Victoria supports these priorities and sees this as an opportunity to advocate for the funding of those recommendations that will have the greatest impact on veterans and their families.
RSL Victoria is currently working through the final report to inform its own advocacy and priority areas, and I recommend that you encourage your own Sub-Branch members to do so and discuss at your committee meetings.
We are keen to hear from you as to which recommendations you believe RSL Victoria should be advocating for. If you would like to respond, please send commentary through to the CE********@rs****.au mailbox by 25 October 2024.
To assist you, linked below you will find a Royal Commission summary document outlining the work of the commissioners, information on how best to read the Final Report and easy access to the not just volumes 1-7 of the Final Report but also the full list of key recommendations, FAQ sheets and more.
Author
RSL Victoria
First established in 1916, RSL Victoria’s primary objectives are to provide support to veterans and their families, acknowledge Australian Defence Force service and perpetuate its patriotic duty whilst encouraging conversation and mateship between those who have served and their communities. A crucial role of the RSL is also to appropriately commemorate those who have suffered and died in service of our nation or its allies.
