Media releases
Nov 2024
The Albanese Labor Government is making it easier for veterans to pursue higher education through the Veteran Recognition of Prior Learning – Tertiary Support Grant Program.
When people think of those who pull on a uniform bearing Australia’s flag, they often think of
those heading into war or conflict.
Oct 2024
Australia’s service personnel are some of the most highly trained and skilled professionals in our nation. The attributes they possess – leadership, teamwork, agility, an ability to work under pressure – are skills every organisation is crying out for.
The physical and mental wellbeing of Australia’s veterans is a key priority for the Albanese Labor Government.
This Remembrance Day, Australians will come together to honour all those who have served and sacrificed for our nation in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
Today I’m pleased to announce Australia’s top employers and employees in the veteran community, the 2024 finalists for the Prime Minister’s National Veteran Employment Awards.
Veterans’ Health Week is our annual reminder that while service takes a toll on veterans and families, there are so many innovative ways and support opportunities to maintain and improve mental health and keep connected
Today we mark another important milestone in the Australian War Memorial Development, switching on the largest Geothermal Heat Exchange System in the country.
The Australian War Memorial is an iconic national institution, commemorating those who secured our nation.
Sep 2024
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has made it abundantly clear that for decades Australia’s Defence personnel, veterans and indeed their families have not been treated as they should have been.
Federal, State and Territory Ministers responsible for veterans’ matters met in Canberra today to enhance cooperation to better support veterans and their families in light of the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
As we mark 25 years of Australian service in Timor-Leste, we remember Australia’s long and proud history of international peacekeeping.
Today, I will travel to Timor-Leste to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the deployment of the International Force East Timor (INTERFET) in Dili.
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide Final Report has been delivered to the Government and tabled in Parliament today.
Primary and secondary students from all over the nation have had the opportunity to discover the stories of veterans in their local communities through the 2024 Anzac Day Schools’ Awards.
Aug 2024
Today on Vietnam Veterans’ Day we pay tribute to the more than 60,000 Australian veterans who served in our uniform in Vietnam.
The Albanese Government is delivering on our commitment to honour the service and sacrifice of First World War veterans, with the opening of the second round of the Marking First World War Private Graves Grants Program.
Jul 2024
More than $4.7 million in funding will be provided to 102 ex-service organisations (ESOs) across Australia to support veteran advocacy through the Albanese Government’s Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) grants program.
The rate of veteran suicide is a national tragedy. It’s why we called for a royal commission.
The Albanese Government is simplifying and harmonising Australia’s veterans’ rehabilitation and compensation system – with new legislation introduced today.
Veterans’ Health week is an annual reminder that while service does take its toll on veterans and veteran families there are a variety of ways they can improve their mental health and wellbeing.
Jun 2024
Following a public call for expressions of interest, today I’m pleased to announce three new members have been appointed to the Australian War Memorial Council.
The Albanese Labor Government is working to improve access to Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) services and supports through the myGov app.
Today the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has delivered a report outlining the experiences of Defence personnel, veterans and families.
The Albanese Labor Government is delivering on our election commitment to address veteran homelessness with today’s launch of the Veterans’ Acute Housing Program.
More than half a century since Australian troops withdrew from Vietnam, their legacy lives on through the Long Tan Bursary.
Veterans and families in Tasmania’s north west will now have better access to services and support following the opening of the Burnie Veterans’ and Families’ Centre.
For too long, many veterans in Tasmania have had to travel to the mainland to get the specialised acute mental health support they need.
Councils, schools, community and ex-service organisations across the country will share in more than $1.68 million in funding, thanks to the Albanese Government’s Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program.
Today we mark the 80th anniversary of one of the most important events of World War II, D-Day.
May 2024
Budget 2024-25 announcement
Apr 2024
Today, as the Last Post cuts the silence of dawn, we pause to honour and remember the more than two million personnel who have served in Australia’s Defence Forces.
When we say “lest we forget” we mean it, we will remember them, we do remember them.
As the clock strikes 8pm each and every night, Menin Gate stands still.
This weekend I will travel to the Western Front to undertake a series of commitments in the lead up to Anzac Day.
A national campaign is being launched today to share the benefits of employing ex-service personnel in the civilian workplace.
The Australian Government is renewing the Veteran Employment Commitment asking civilian organisations to more clearly demonstrate how they are supporting veterans in the workplace.
Mar 2024
As Anzac Day approaches, we not only remember those who served on the beaches of Gallipoli and the trenches of the Western Front, but all Australians who have served and sacrificed and the 103,000 who have died in the name of our nation.
More than 25,000 veterans and their families will be better off, with the Albanese Government today announcing a $5.445 million grant has been awarded to RSL LifeCare, working with RSL NSW, to establish a Veterans’ and Families’ Hub in the Tweed/North Coast region of New South Wales.
Following a competitive application and business case process, today we can announce a $5.445 million grant will be provided to RSL Queensland to lead the establishment of a Veterans’ and Families’ Hub in Ipswich, Queensland, in collaboration with Mates4Mates and GO2 Health.
22,000 veterans and their families across the Hunter region will soon receive better support, with today’s announcement that a Veterans’ and Families’ Hub will be developed in Maitland, to support veterans near and far.
Ninety community organisations, ex-service organisations, schools, and councils across Australia will receive a share in more than $1 million in grants through the latest round of the Albanese Government's Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program.
The veteran community in Sydney’s West will now receive better access to supports, with the Albanese Government today announcing a unique Veterans’ and Families’ Hub network, connecting the Hawkesbury to South Western Sydney.
The Albanese Government will soon commence a public search for new Members of the Australian War Memorial Council.
Feb 2024
The Albanese Government has today released exposure draft legislation which will simplify and harmonise the century old veterans’ entitlements, compensation and rehabilitation system.
Today, we honour, remember and pay tribute to those who served, those who lost their lives and those whose lives were forever changed in the bombing of Darwin in 1942.
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide set a deadline to clear the backlog of compensation claims by 31 March 2024. Thanks to the Albanese Government’s investments in 500 additional claims processing staff and in ICT, this target will be exceeded.
Jan 2024
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh and Member for Eden-Monaro, Kristy McBain, have today announced RSL LifeCare Veteran Services will receive a $5.4 million grant to develop a new Veterans’ and Families’ Hub in Queanbeyan.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh and Member for Spence, Matt Burnell, have today announced Lives Lived Well will receive a $5.445 million grant to develop a new Veterans’ and Families’ Hub in Elizabeth.
Dec 2023
The Independent Veterans’ Review Board is a specialist tribunal that assesses decisions about veterans’ entitlements and compensation.
In 2023 community groups, ex-service organisations and individuals were invited to apply for assistance of up to $450 to mark the graves of First World War veterans whose deaths were unrelated to their war service, fulfilling an election commitment of the Albanese Government.