Once-in-a-century reforms for veterans

Central to this task was to simplify and harmonise the veteran compensation and rehabilitation system.

Anyone who has engaged with the veteran compensation system knows that it can feel complex and challenging to navigate, particularly when people are seeking support at a vulnerable point in their lives.

This is the result of decades of piecemeal change and fringe reform built on top of a century of consolidated veterans’ entitlements legislation.

Right now, veteran claims for benefits and support are assessed under three different pieces of legislation depending on the time someone served and the nature of their service. Sometimes a veteran has to make claims under all three systems.

This complexity has contributed to delays, inconsistent processing, uncertain outcomes and claims backlogs, with the royal commission dubbing this “a contributing factor to suicidality”.

This finding underscores the importance of continuing to simplify how support is accessed, so the system works with veterans – not against them.

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And it is why reform could not wait.

After extensive consultation, the new system, an enhanced Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA), will come into effect on 1 July and will be the single ongoing legislative basis for entitlements.

The Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) and Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA) will close to new claims on 30 June.

This will allow for all new claims for compensation to be made under the single scheme from 1 July, enabling veterans and families of veterans to access the support they need and deserve, faster.

It will also provide clearer, fairer and more consist­ent compensation outcomes.

Importantly, anyone who is already receiving benefits will continue to do so at least the same level. Nobody is left worse off by these changes.

Indeed, various entitlements will be enhanced, while allowances and other payments will be standardised from 1 July.

This will see claims advocates able to better support veterans and improve claims processing times.

This is the biggest reform to Australia’s veteran support system in more than a century – and it has been shaped by those who use it.

It’s about removing complexity and reducing stress.

Another major change coming into effect on 1 July is the establishment of the new Veteran and Family Wellbeing Agency, another key recommendation of the royal commission.

The Veteran and Family Wellbeing Agency is about simplifying the wellbeing system for veterans and families of veterans, making the system easier to navigate and better connected, prioritising prevention and early support.

The agency is also the result of consultation with the veteran community and will have a renewed focus on successful transition from military to civilian life, community connection and improving wellbeing outcomes.

At its core, the agency will help connect veterans and families to the wellbeing services they need and reduce the fragmentation in the veteran support system.

The implementation of these two critical royal commission recommendations on 1 July underline the significant progress the government has made in responding to the royal commission.

By the end of this year, we expect two thirds of the royal commission’s recommendations will be implemented.

But there is more work to do and we are determined to keep the momentum going.

To date, the government has provided over $2 billion in funding to support initiatives in response to the royal commission, one of the most significant investments in veteran wellbeing in Australia’s history.

This is having a real impact.

The Albanese government’s reforms are about ensuring that those who have served our country receive the care, dignity and support they deserve.

And they demonstrate our ongoing commitment to build a veteran support system that is simpler, more responsive and focused on keeping veterans well, for life.

Matt Keogh is a Labor Member of the Australian House of Representatives for Burt (WA) and is currently serving as Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel in the Albanese government. He is a former lawyer and industrial relations specialist with a background in employment and workplace law before entering federal politics.