The Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel has announced the membership of a new committee set up to give Defence and veteran families a say in policies and decisions affecting them.
The Minister, Darren Chester said Army veteran and current Chief Executive of BAE Systems Australia, Gabby Costigan (pictured) would chair the new body.
“The needs of women and families affected by Defence service are not always understood or visible, and their voices are not always heard,” Mr Chester said.
“That’s why I announced the creation of the Council for Women and Families United by Defence Service, so that women and families could have a direct voice to my office.”
He said it was important to recognise and seek to better understand the service and sacrifice of women who had either served in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) themselves or been impacted by the service of a loved one.
Ms Costigan said she was proud to serve as the Chair of the Council and provide her support to delivering better outcomes for veterans and their families.
“I look forward to working with such a talented and experienced group of individuals to help provide a stronger voice for an often unheard part of the community,” Ms Costigan said.
Mr Chester said the Council was made up of a diverse range of people including parents, partners and widows of ADF personnel, chaplains, skilled professionals, veterans and ADF members.
“Each member has lived experience of the challenges faced by veterans and veterans’ families.
I thank each member for agreeing to sit on the council and I look forward working with them to further improve the services and support provided to women and families united by Defence service.”
Members of the Council are Ms Costigan (Chair), Janine Kirk (Deputy Chair), Doug Baird, Rhondda Vanzella, Michael Bainbridge, Gwen Cherne, Dr Rachel Martin, Anne Pahl , Rachel Ranton, The Venerable Robert Sutherland, Renee Wilson, Meredith Lane, Flight Lieutenant Amanda Scott and Elizabeth Ward.
Ex officio members of the Council are the Secretary of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Liz Cosson; Associate Secretary of the Department of Defence, Major General Natasha Fox; and DVA FAS, Kate Pope.
