RSL Queensland Annual Report 2020

49 RSL Queensland Annual Report | 2020 Annual Highlights Advocating for Veterans ADVOCATING FOR VETERANS In 2020, our Veteran Services Support team used our growing position of authority on issues related to veterans to influence state and federal government and other veteran body decisions. In total, 14 submissions were made to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), the Ex-Service Organisation Round Table (ESORT), the Queensland Government, the Australian War Memorial, the Australian Taxation Office, the Interim National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide, RSL National and several Senate inquiries. Where appropriate, we collaborated with other ESOs to reinforce our position in our submissions. RSL Queensland State President Tony Ferris also spoke publicly on several occasions to voice his concern, including speaking against the damaging speculation that pre-empted the legal process following the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force’s (IGADF) Afghanistan Inquiry report: "As Australians, we owe our Defence personnel the right to due legal process, including the presumption of innocence that lies at the heart of our legal system. If illegal or unethical activities are found to have occurred, then those individuals responsible must be held accountable. But we are very concerned about the effect ongoing speculation may have on the mental health of all veterans, not just those who are the subject of these allegations." He also encouraged the Department of Defence to deliberate more fully on the service contributions of the thousands of Defence personnel who participated in the Special Operations Task Group in Afghanistan over many years, before making any decision to potentially remove the unit’s Meritorious Unit Citation: "Every day, RSL supports those who deployed to Afghanistan as part of the Special Operations Task Group, and their families. It would be unfair if the alleged illegal actions of a small number of individuals diminished the contributions and reputations of the many who have served with honour, regularly putting their lives on the line for their country. The overwhelming majority of our nation’s veterans deserve our gratitude and respect – not to have their contributions diminished or be made to feel ‘guilty by association'." To enable us to continue to advise and lobby governing bodies, we need to continue to grow our understanding of contemporary veterans and their needs through research and engagement. As we increase our knowledge base, we’ll continue to become the subject matter experts for veteran experiences and needs, which then strengthens our ability to advocate for veterans and influence change where it’s needed. We’re also building a culture of collaboration, working and consulting with other ESOs to influence veteran support for the wellbeing of all veterans and their families. We’re engaging the broader veteran support ecosystem to bring alignment across the sector. We’ve been doing this to a degree for some time, but we have never been resourced to the level we need to be. Until now. We're building a culture of collaboration, working and consulting with other ESOs. / Continued on next page