Ex-Service Organisation Round Table

Ex-Service Organisation Round Table

Department of Veterans’ Affairs

Ex-Service Organisation Round Table

Summary of Meeting – 9 March 2018

The Ex-Service Organisation Round Table (ESORT) met for the 39th time in Canberra on
9 March 2018. The new Minister, the Hon Darren Chester MP, attended for the morning session. The Minister spoke of his background and pleasure at being appointed as the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs. The Minister then asked members to introduce themselves and provide an outline of the issues important to their organisation.

The Secretary welcomed members and noted apologies from

  • GPCAPT Carl Schiller of RAAFA, welcoming Mr Richard Kelloway in his place
  • Mr Rick Cranna of Legacy, welcoming Mr Phillip McNamara in his place
  • Ms Jennifer Taylor
  • AVM Tracy Smart AM

Transformation

The regular Veteran Centric Reform showcase provided an update on:

  • the next MyService release which will further streamline the processing of claims
  • the ongoing digitisation of client files which continues to assist in reducing the time taken to process claims
  • the Australia Post trial which is exploring the effectiveness of using Australia Post retail shopfronts to improve access to DVA information.

Rehabilitation and Support

The ESORT was updated on:

  • the progress of new legislation for the new Veteran Payment which was introduced to Parliament on 15 February 2018. The new payment will be available from 1 May 2018 pending the passage of the legislation. Another bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on 15 February, the Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Veteran-Centric Reforms No.1) Bill which amends the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 providing additional childcare arrangements, counselling, household services and attendant care for prescribed current and former ADF members.
  • the ongoing work of the Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Program and the programs upcoming inaugural awards which will be held on 28 March 2018 at Parliament House.
  • information and comparison of access, eligibility and time restrictions to education as part of a rehabilitation scheme under the recent United States enacted
    Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2017, S. 1598 (known as the Forever GI Bill) the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA) and the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Defence-related Claims 1988 (DRCA).

Health and Community Services

An update was provided on continuing research into suicide in the Australian Defence Force and ex-serving community, the implementation of various suicide prevention pilots funded under the 2017-18 budget measure, the Centenary of ANZAC Centre, ADF post-discharge GP health assessments, the Psychiatric Assistance Dog trial, the first release of the AT Ease Channel redevelopment project due to commence shortly, the expansion of the Men’s Health Peer Education Program to include the promotion of women’s and contemporary veterans’ health, an update on progress of the Transition and Wellbeing Research Programme, the review of the 2018 Rehabilitation Appliances Program, the veteran membership funding proposal from the Diabetes Associations across Australia.

Client and Commemorations

Members were updated on Domestic and International commemorations that the Department will be planning for and delivering in 2018.

Legislation Update

Members were provided with an update on the Veteran-centric Reforms No. 1 and Omnibus Bills. Members were also advised that it is anticipated that two sets of Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related claims) Act 1988 (DRCA) regulation amendments will be developed this year.

Defence Update

Members were addressed by representatives from the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme and provided with an overview of the aims of the scheme, which is to provide an incentive to members to remain in the Australian Defence Force. A further item was presented by BRIG Gavin Duncan DSC on the Renewal Program which realigns work structures, values and culture within Special Operations Command.

Member Submissions

A range of issues important to ESORT members were also discussed under various submissions which included the future of Advocacy, the need to prioritise strategic issues for consideration of ESORT, the complexity of collaboration across Ex-service organisations and the request for regular updates on the progress of recommendations from the Senate Inquiry into Veterans Suicide.

The next meeting of the ESORT will be held on 9 August 2018.

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