The current session of parliament will be the last chance for the streamlined veterans entitlement legislation to pass before the election. Photo: ADF.
The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) has called on parliament to pass veterans entitlement legislation before the current session concludes for the federal election.
The Veterans’ Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Bill 2024, proposes bringing three existing legislative provisions into a single act, and is designed to make it simpler for veterans and their families to access services and support. The bill was not passed prior to the Christmas break and is currently before the Senate.
The three acts falling under the current system are:
- The Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) which is a pension-based scheme which covers conditions from operational, peacekeeping and hazardous service before 2004, and some other defence service mostly between 1972 and 1994.
- The Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA) which is a workers’ compensation model which covers conditions from non-operational service before 2004 and operational service between 1994 and 2004.
- Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA) which covers conditions from service on or after 1 July 2004.
The proposed new system seeks to streamline these:
- Legacy VEA and DRCA which covers existing claims under the VEA and DRCA before the specified commencement date that would remain under grandparented provisions of those acts.
- The single ongoing act which will cover new claims from a specified commencement date irrespective of when and where the veteran served, or when their injury, illness or death occurred.
RSL Australia National President Greg Melick says it is imperative the legislation remains at the forefront of the Senate’s business, and is passed as a matter of priority to becomes law before the parliament rises for the election.
He said with the election due within months, there was speculation that the current two-week sitting would be the final session of the current parliament.
“The veteran community has long been waiting for these changes, and they must not be delayed any longer,” Mr Melick said.
“We call on the government to bring on the bill and the Senate to pass the measures as an urgent priority.”
He said the RSL acknowledged the government’s actions taken to date to improve the lives of serving personnel, veterans and their families, including increased funding for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and movement on legislative changes.
“To this end, the passage of the legislation would fulfil another of the government’s commitments to veterans,” he said.
“Veterans and their families make a strong social and economic contribution to our nation both during and after military service. This bill will make it simpler for them to access the supports they may need to reach their full potential post service and that benefits every Australian.
“The veteran community has long asked for these changes and had hoped to see the bill pass at the end of 2024,” he added. “These vital changes must not be delayed any longer.
“As parliament returns for the first sitting week of the year, the RSL is asking every senator and Member of Parliament to prioritise action to pass this legislation now.”
