Joint communiqué - Veterans’ Ministerial Council

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.

Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide

The Ministers recognised those who bravely shared their personal stories with the Royal Commission and noted the Royal Commission’s comment “governments at all levels must work together to improve veterans’ wellbeing and reduce the risk of suicide and suicidality.” 

Ministers agreed on the need to work collaboratively to improve services and supports for the veteran community and that a timely response to the Royal Commission’s Final Report is necessary. The Royal Commission was a comprehensive inquiry resulting in 122 final recommendations that are currently under consideration by all levels of Government, noting that 9 of the recommendations require action by States and Territories in conjunction with the Commonwealth. Ministers agreed to the First Secretaries Group be requested to identify appropriate members of an inter-jurisdictional working group to consider State and Territory implications of recommendations and report back to relevant Ministers. 

Ministers acknowledged the action taken by the Australian Government on all recommendations of the Royal Commission’s 2022 Interim Report. 

Legislation Reform

The Ministers were provided with an update on veterans’ legislation reform following the Australian Government introducing the Veterans’ Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Bill 2024 (VETS Bill) into the Federal Parliament on 3 July 2024. This Bill is in response to the first recommendation of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s Interim Report and is informed by a comprehensive consultation process.

The Bill is currently before the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 3 October 2024.

Harmonisation of veteran concessions

At the last Council meeting, Ministers acknowledged the need for clearer and more consistent veteran concession arrangements around the country. Since then, the Commonwealth State and Territory Committee (CSTC) has been undertaking a comparison of concession types and eligibility rules across Australia, which was presented to council. 

The Council agreed to consider the harmonisation of transport, vehicle and household concessions and publish each jurisdiction’s current concessions on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) website for public visibility. 

Veteran identifiers

The Council noted the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide Final Report contains a number of recommendations regarding the creation and use of a Veteran Data Asset by the Commonwealth as well as the States and Territories.

The Council discussed the risks and opportunities of introducing ‘veteran identifiers’ in sectors such as health, aged care, the corrections system and education across all Australian States and Territories. While it was acknowledged the implementation of such mechanisms would be a decision for the Commonwealth, as well as each State and Territory government, the Ministers recognised the benefits identifiers could provide for members of the Defence and veteran community, as well as the clear desire of the Royal Commission for a consistent and positive approach to these matters by the Commonwealth, States and Territories. 

Improving access for veterans with a Psychiatric Assistance Dog

At the last Council meeting, Ministers discussed the need for harmonisation of cross jurisdictional arrangements for veterans and their Psychiatric Assistance Dogs, as well as national standards for providers. A working group has since been formed to progress work to improve public access for veterans with a Psychiatric Assistance Dog (PAD), with Ministers continuing to express their support for a national approach. Ministers agreed that DVA proceed with an “Access Rights Information Card” and identification symbol for PAD’s provided and certified by DVA. State and Territory Ministers will work within their jurisdiction to ensure recognition of such identifiers. 

Veteran Aged Care

The Council was briefed on DVA’s Aged and Community Care Taskforce, which was established in January 2024. The Taskforce aims to improve veteran and family access and support in navigating the complexities of the aged care sector. Central to its work is establishing strong connections between DVA programs across the Commonwealth, and the States and Territories. The Taskforce’s purpose is to deliver a structured approach to DVA aged care services that reflects changing client demographics, leverages partnerships, and enables DVA to respond to changes occurring across the aged care sector. 

The Council also noted that the Commonwealth introduced its Aged Care Bill 2024 into Parliament on 12 September 2024.

Tasmanian Mental Health Program

The Council was updated on a program Open Arms has developed in partnership with the Tasmanian Health Service and Primary Health Network to enhance access to mental health services for veterans and families in Tasmania.

FRIDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER 2024

MEDIA CONTACT: STEPHANIE MATHEWS – 0407 034 485

Ministerial attendees 

• Australian Government (Chair): The Hon Matt Keogh MP
• New South Wales: The Hon David Harris MP 
• Northern Territory: The Hon Jinson Charls MLA (virtual)
• Queensland: The Hon James Sullivan MP (virtual)
• South Australia: The Hon Joe Szakacs MP
• Tasmania: The Hon Guy Barnett MP (virtual) 
• Victoria: The Hon Natalie Suleyman MP
• Western Australia: The Hon Paul Papalia MLA (virtual)