A Shorten Labor Government is committed to ensuring ADF personnel, veterans and their families are supported both during and after their service.
Hello
Over the past two years as Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel I have announced a number of policies which Federal Labor will implement if elected.
At a recent roundtable in Brisbane, a member of the ex-serving community asked for a summary document which detailed all of our achievements to date.To this end, I have developed the below document and encourage you to share this amongst your networks.
While this is a list of the policies we have announced to date, this is not an exhaustive list of the work we have done or the only policies we will take to the next election. It will be updated as new policies are announced.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you require any assistance.
Yours sincerely
Amanda Rishworth MP
Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
Shadow Minister for Defence Personnel
Federal Labor’s Commitment to Defence Personnel and Veterans
A Shorten Labor Government is committed to ensuring ADF personnel, veterans and their families are supported both during and after their service.
Labor has taken a number of steps while in Opposition to support veterans and ex-service personnel including establishing a Senate Inquiry into the use of anti-malarials in the ADF and backing in calls of the ex-serving community to include the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation in the Banking Royal Commission.
In addition, we have developed and announced a number of policies which we would implement if elected.
While this is a list of the policies we have announced to date, this is not an exhaustive list of the work we have done or the only policies we will take to the next election. It will be updated as new policies are announced.
Committed to signing Australia’s first Military Covenant
A Shorten Labor Government will establish a Military Covenant which will stand as a testament to our ongoing commitment to those who are or have served our country.
This solemn promise will be signed by the Prime Minister and the Chief of the Defence Force which acknowledges the unique nature of military service. Importantly, it will be accompanied by legislation which requires Government to report regularly on how they are best meeting their responsibilities to ADF personnel and the ex-serving community. Further information can be found here.
Committed $121 million to a comprehensive Veterans’ Employment Program
A Shorten Labor Government has committed $121 million over four years to address veterans’ unemployment.
Labor’s comprehensive veterans’ employment policy has four main elements which are designed to assist veterans into meaningful employment post their time in the ADF.
Helping businesses to train veterans
By providing grants of up to $5,000 per veteran for job specific training and conducting a national education campaign on benefits of hiring a veteran
A new veterans’ employment service
The service will provide comprehensive, wrap around support for up to five years
Expanded access to additional education and civilian training
By altering the eligibility requirements and funding amounts available through the Career Training Assistance Scheme funding
Translating the experience of veterans
Will work with States and Territories, Universities and industry bodies for greater automatic recognition of skills
Our comprehensive employment will best prepare those leaving the ADF to move into meaningful employment and enable businesses to take advantage of the many skills of an ex-ADF member. Further information can be found here.
Will develop a Family Engagement and Support Strategy
A Shorten Labor Government will give families a seat at the table and a voice when it comes to the services available to them.
As recommended by the National Mental Health Commission, Labor will develop a national family engagement and support strategy which will provide a national blueprint to include engagement of DVA with military families. It will also ensure the best practice support for families of serving personnel and ex-ADF members is consistently available across the country.
Importantly, it will address the lack of engagement with families and acknowledgement of the critical role they play. Further information can be found here.
Will establish the Western Front Fellowship
A Shorten Labor Government will establish the Western Front Fellowship located at the Sir John Monash Centre in Villers-Bretonneux.
The fellowship Program will offer eligible post-secondary students a four-month placement at the new Sir John Monash Centre, representing some of Australia’s most-important history to visitors.
Fellows in the program will work full-time, and will be supported financially through a stipend wage, receive rent assistance and be partially reimbursed for their flights.
They will have the opportunity to develop and refine their expertise in Australian military history, responsible for taking tours, giving presentations, and answering questions about Australia’s military history around the Western Front. Further information can be found here.
Established the Senate Inquiry into the use of anti-malarials in the ADF
In response to the continued concerns of members of the ex-serving community, Labor established a Senate Inquiry into the use of anti-malarials in the ADF, which is currently taking evidence and due to report back at the end of November.
Labor called for the inquiry as we believed it was important to work through this issue in an open and transparent manner and provide a thorough and comprehensive report about the use of Quinoline anti-malarial drugs in the ADF. Further information can be found here.
Called for the inclusion of Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation in the Banking Royal Commission
Labor has backed in the calls of the Alliance of Defence Service Organisations and the National Returned and Services League of Australia for the Royal Commission into the misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry to include the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation.
As it stands, the CSC has been excluded from the Terms of Reference preventing current ADF members, veterans and public servants from having confidence in their superannuation fund.
Labor continues to call on the Federal Government to include CSC in the Terms of Reference. Further information can be found here.
