Presentations from the 2023 Defence Reserves Association Conference

19 August 2023

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

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.

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

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.

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.