Joint communiqué - Veterans’ Ministerial Council

Federal, State and Territory Ministers responsible for veterans’ matters met today to collaborate on further improving services and supports for veterans and families of veterans across Australia.

Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide

Noting that last week marked one year since the Australian Government's response to the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, all Council members reaffirmed their commitment to working together to implement relevant recommendations across jurisdictions.

The Council discussed the Australian Government's recent announcement of 
$78 million over four years to establish a veterans and families wellbeing agency within the Department of Veterans' Affairs, in response to Recommendation 87.

The agency is expected to open by 1 July 2026 and will create a more connected system of support for ADF members, veterans and families of veterans, with a particular focus on early intervention and supporting transitioning ADF members.

Ministers agreed to progress work to identify data assets held by states and territories. The Council was advised about how this data could be used to further work on a National Veterans' Data Asset, and that this will be critical for understanding suicide and suicidality within the veteran community and improving wellbeing outcomes for veterans and families of veterans. This work directly addresses Recommendation 107 of the Royal Commission.

Ministers also discussed the Commonwealth’s additional priorities that Commonwealth and state jurisdictions have been working on together, namely; 

• Recommendation 77: Develop a suite of postvention resources in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Recommendation 85: Develop employment pathways for ex-serving members in public sector agencies, and;
• Recommendation 105: Improve coordination with coroners and the National Coronial information system. 

Data Collection through screening

The Council agreed to continue work to better identify and support veterans and veteran families across state jurisdictions. 

Namely the council discussed implementation efforts to include a veteran screening question on State and Territory forms relating to: 

• Education
• Housing
• Hospital and community health systems
• Corrective services
• State run residential aged care facilities. 

Office of Australian War Graves

The Council discussed the issues of grave tenure, and cemetery renewal and reuse. 

Council members agreed to engage with the Office of Australian War Graves (OAWG) which is working to ensure the graves of eligible Australian veterans would be maintained in perpetuity at the original site of internment.

Pathways to Mental Health Program

The Council agreed to work towards the development of joint partnerships between Open Arms with each state and territory, to expand the Pathways to Mental Health Program, led by Open Arms, following a successful pilot in Tasmania. The Council noted that Open Arms was proposing to begin with scoping studies across jurisdictions. The program aims to strengthen referral and treatment pathways between Open Arms and public, private and community mental health services.

Council members were also advised Open Arms is partnering with the Australian Federal Police to develop a training and referral program to help police connect veterans in crisis with support, and will consider how such training could be rolled out to State and Territory frontline responders.

Ministerial attendees

• Australian Government (Chair): The Hon Matt Keogh MP
• Australian Capital Territory: Suzanne Orr MLA (virtual)
• New South Wales: The Hon David Harris MP
• Northern Territory: The Hon Jinson Charls MLA (virtual)
• Queensland: Janelle Poole MP (virtual)
• South Australia: The Hon Joe Szakacs MP (virtual)
• Tasmania: The Hon Gavin Pearce MP (virtual)
• Victoria: The Hon Natalie Suleyman MP (virtual)
• Western Australia: The Hon Paul Papalia CSC MLA (virtual)

Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling provides 24/7 free confidential crisis support for current and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families on 1800 011 046 or the Open Arms website. Safe Zone Support provides anonymous counselling on 1800 142 072. Defence All-Hours Support Line provides support for ADF personnel on 1800 628 036 or the Defence Health Portal. Defence Member and Family Helpline provides support for Defence families on 1800 624 608.