BOOKINGS ARE CLOSED FOR IN PERSON REGISTRATIONS
BUT REGISTRATIONS ARE STILL OPEN FOR ON-LINE ACCESS

For the 2023 DRA National Conference being held on  Saturday 19th August 2023

"What the Defence Strategic Review means for the ADF’s Reserves"

being held at the United Service Club Queensland,  183 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill  QLD 4000.

The traditional and convivial All Ranks dinner will be held following the daytime sessions.

Details of the Speakers and Program are now available.

ESORT communique which summarises the outcomes of the 9 May ESORT Meeting, attended by the DRA representative.

The Defence Reserves Association (DRA), the Defence Force Welfare Association (DFWA), and the Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL), have written a joint letter to the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, Matt Keogh, seeking his support for the extension of health care to all those serving in the reserve forces.

The Information Access Unit has been established within DVA, to serve as a single point of contact and source of advice to applicants seeking information.

Nominations now open!

Nominations are now open for the 2023 Prime Minister’s National Veterans’ Employment Awards.

The annual awards recognise the achievements of Australian organisations that actively recruit, employ and support veterans and their partners, and are creating workplaces where they can thrive. The Awards also provide the opportunity to commend individual employees and entrepreneurs who are using their Australian Defence Force-related experiences to succeed within the civilian workforce.

The latest newsletter - Edition 15 - 7 March 2022

Concurrent with the Australian International Airshow at Avalon, the Chief of Air Force conducts a symposium to address a topical aspect of air power.

DRA 2022 National Conference - Presentations

"Calling out the ADF Reserves - the need for balance and future sustainability"

After two years of operating online DRA Victoria welcomed back our colleagues both local and
interstate at the Hyatt Hotel Essendon Fields. There was an live online link for those who could not attend in person.

The July 2023 Western Australia branch newsletter is now on line.

A message to everyone in the Defence and Veteran communities

The DRA considers that it is important for the Royal Commission, in examining the systemic issues affecting the mental health of Reservists, to understand the differences between Reservists and permanent members of the ADF in terms of their obligation to serve and their conditions of service; and the different types of Defence Reservists. There are different service categories across the spectrum of Reserve service that forms the Total Workforce System (TWS) in Defence.

A message to everyone in the Defence and Veteran communities

My name is Nick Kaldas and I am the Chair of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

I am writing to you to let you know who we are at the Royal Commission and what we hope to achieve as we deliver on the very important task that we have been set.

A recent review of the ADF’s discipline system found that the current summary discipline system is overly complex, difficult to use, unresponsive and characterised by excessive delay because of its complexity.

A Bill to reform the ADF’s military discipline system was introduced into Parliament on 12 August 2021.

What would the Government demand from the Reserves in preparing for war; how this would be achieved by the ADF; where the ADF might employ the Reserves; and when the Reserves are likely to be mobilised / deployed?

The June 2023 Victorian branch newsletter is now on line.

The Defence Reserves Association (DRA), which is a joint organisation, is the only advocacy group specifically representing Defence Reservists and our position is that the Australian Government needs to take appropriate measures to enhance the health and wellbeing of all Reservists.

As such the DRA considers that the Terms of Reference of the proposed Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans’ Suicides should be broadened to include Reservists who have had lengthy periods of service in the ADF, but have not been required or given an opportunity to undertake any period of permanent service (which would have entitled them to apply for a White Card).

The amendments to the Defence Reserve Service (Protection) Act 2001 came into effect on 27 Nov 2017.

The changes to the Act relate to the following areas:

- Protection against discrimination
- Employment protection
- Partnership protection
- Education protection
- Financial liability and bankruptcy protection
- Enforcement of the Act and remedies that are available.

With some limited exceptions, a different Lapel Pin, but no Veteran Card is being provided by DVA to ADF Reservists who have not had a period of full-time service.
The decision to introduce a Lapel Pin and Veteran Card, including a different Lapel Pin and no Veteran Card to ADF Reservists who had no period of full-time service, was taken without the considered consultation such a decision warrants. At no time was the DRA consulted or asked for an opinion on this matter.

DVA sends a letter to the DRA outlining the support they are providing to any veterans or their family members who may be concerned or impacted by the Afghanistan Inquiry or its findings.