A message from the State President

As I’m sure you’re aware, at the end of 2024 the Federal Government handed down its response to the final report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

This response was a significant step with the Government agreeing or agreeing-in-principle to 104 of the 122 recommendations. Of the remaining recommendations they noted 17 recommendations for further consideration and have advised that they do not support part of one recommendation. 

Since the release of this response, we have been working through its detail. As I reflect on both the Royal Commission’s report and the Government’s response it seems clear to me that to achieve a material reduction in the suicide rate the focus needs to be on transition.

The Department of Defence, DVA and the ex-service organisation (ESO) community simply have to get better at the process of transition and then helping those who struggle post it.

There are a number of recommendations that relate to transition. Four are worth highlighting:

Recommendation 80: The Department of Veterans’ Affairs to take responsibility for supporting members to transition out of the Australian Defence Force.

Defence have struggled to offer this support because they are, sensibly, focused on delivering a war-fighting capability and conducted operations. The Royal Commission has identified that this responsibility is a better fit with DVA’s role. Whatever the outcome, we will be advocating to ensure that there is actual experience of transition in the key positions that are appointed to this role.

Recommendation 83: Increase opportunities for members to gain civilian qualifications from Defence training and education, and Recommendation 84: Issue separating members with a reference that states their skills, experience and capabilities.

These recommendations are important. They go to supporting the transition journey for Defence members and should assist in the understanding and translation of skills from Defence into civilian workplaces. This should help with employment after service. Meaningful employment offers dignity. 

Recommendation 87: Establish a new agency to focus on veteran wellbeing. The Australian Government should establish a new agency focused on veteran wellbeing. The new agency should have distinctive branding but be administratively nested within DVA. 

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Turning to what we are doing. We have three areas of focus to assist those who are transitioning or who have recently transitioned:

The RSL Employment Program. This service is providing support and guidance to help veterans understand the sort of work that might best align with their skills, values and purpose. Support ranges from helping translate Defence-related skills to the job market, vocational counselling, resume writing and interview coaching.

Veteran-centric research. We partner with, and help fund, the Gallipoli Medical Research organisation. The focus of research is to understand the impact that military service has on veterans and their families – both physically and mentally. It is from this research that several support tools have been developed to help improve the health and wellbeing of the veteran community. 

Advocacy. We are active in, and wholeheartedly committed to, working with RSL Australia, DVA, Defence and the ESO community in articulating the challenges of transition and the needs of veterans more broadly. 

Finally, I believe it is the right time for us to review the services that we offer. I intend to have more to say on that at our mid-year State Congress.

Sincerely,

SD

Stephen Day

State President

RSL Queensland

Read the response from the Federal Government, here.

If you need support, please reach out to Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling on 1800 011 046 or Lifeline Queensland crisis support on 13 11 14.