We commend the Government and Minister for Veterans, the Hon Matt Keogh for driving the Veterans’ Entitlements, Treatment and Support (VETS) Bill 2024 forward and bringing about long-needed reform that will simplify the legislative framework for 581,000 Australian veterans.

The Families of Veterans Guild views the harmonisation of the different pieces of legislation that govern veteran entitlements as a positive first step. However, it is important to note that this legislation does not change the model of care offered to veteran families, it still uses the 100-year-old model which presumes families do not need help and support until a veteran passes away. The evolving needs of veterans and their families, exacerbated by ongoing conflicts, highlight the inadequacy of waiting for crises before offering support. Veterans are living longer and more complex lives, they are now surviving their service and injuries that in the early- mid 1900’s they wouldn’t have, necessitating earlier intervention and support for families. The challenges related to caring for and supporting a veteran during, post and beyond their service are now very visible.

We now need to take the next steps and start including families in the legislative framework that governs support and entitlements. Legislative language needs to be modernised. Archaic terms like ‘wholly dependent partner’, ‘dependents’ and ‘attendants’ undermines the role of veteran families, perpetuates power dynamics and isn’t consistent with contemporary standards.

We need to revisit statutory time limits on entitlements that disadvantage war widows and veterans, and ensuring veteran families are fully integrated into the scope of the veteran support system.

It is vital that the veteran sector, veterans and their families need to remain appropriately engaged and consulted in the redesign of their system of care.

On the 8th of February 2025, our CEO Renee Wilson put out a statement in response to an amendment to the Bill which sought to make significant structural changes to the sector and its governance without being consulted. The rushed establishment of Defence and Veterans’ Services Commission (‘the Commission’) under the Defence Act 1903 troubled us for many reasons, including a lack of clarity in what was being proposed and its impact.

We raised our concerns, and we here heard: an amendment to the addition of Schedule 9 to the Bill, establishing the commission ensures that this amendment is to be fully consulted before being implemented.

Ultimately, we welcome this historical change to the veteran system but remind Australia, this is the first step in what is a very large body of reform work that needs to take place in our sector. We look forward to continuing to work with Governments, veterans and their families to build a system that genuinely provides the support to veterans and their families .

The post Media release in response to the passing of the Veterans’ Entitlements, Treatment and Support Bill 2024 first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

War widows will see no changes, only improvements

The good news is that war widows and widows of veterans will not face any reductions in their entitlements under the new scheme. In fact, the provisions surrounding service-related deaths under MRCA are more generous than those in previous legislation. This means that the financial and support structures in place will offer better security than historical schemes did.

However, while the new framework maintains and enhances benefits, it still falls short in fully recognising the sacrifices and challenges faced by the families of veterans. Some of the critical disadvantages within MRCA remain unaddressed—an issue we pushed to rectify during the consultation process. Unfortunately, the Government was not prepared to engage in discussions on these matters at this stage, prioritising the unification of veteran schemes before making additional improvements.

Now, what needs to happen

With the passage of the Veterans Harmonisation Bill, our focus must shift toward ensuring the upcoming 12-month review process addresses the existing gaps in MRCA. This review will provide a vital opportunity to push for legislative reforms that better serve veteran families.

Key areas requiring immediate attention include:

• Updating legislative language: Outdated terms like “wholly dependent partner,” “dependents,” and “attendants” diminish the role of veteran families and reinforce outdated power dynamics. We must advocate for terminology that respects and reflects modern relationships and family structures.
• Revisiting statutory time limits on acute support: Time limits on entitlements continue to disadvantage war widows and veteran families. These need to be reassessed to ensure that no one is left behind due to bureaucratic constraints.
• Ensuring full integration of families into veteran support systems: Veteran families must be included in the framework governing support and entitlements, recognising their critical role in the rehabilitation and well-being of veterans.

It is vital for our community to remain engaged and consulted

The veteran sector must remain an active participant in shaping its future. Veterans and their families deserve a system that works for them, not one that is imposed upon them without proper consultation.

The recent passing of the VETS Bill underscored the importance of community engagement. A late amendment introduced by the Government aimed to establish the Defence and Veteran Services Commission without consultation. This 31-page amendment proposed significant structural changes to the veteran sector, yet the veteran community was blindsided by its sudden inclusion.

Upon reviewing the amendment, we identified several key concerns and raised them with all sides of Parliament. The Government ultimately conceded, agreeing that a formal consultation on the content and design of the Commission will take place before its official launch in September 2025. This was a significant win for the community, demonstrating that our collective advocacy efforts can influence policy decisions.

The addition to the amendment: what happened and why it matters

The Government’s unexpected amendment to establish the Defence and Veteran Services Commission highlighted a major issue: the lack of transparency and consultation in decision-making processes that directly impact the veteran community. While the proposed Commission holds significant powers that could reshape veteran services, the absence of prior engagement with the community was unacceptable.

Our swift response ensured that this issue was taken seriously, resulting in a commitment from the Government to consult the veteran sector before the Commission becomes operational. This outcome reinforces the importance of remaining vigilant and proactive in advocating for our community.

Moving forward: advocacy must continue

While the passing of the Veterans Harmonisation Bill brings positive changes, it is not the final step. We must remain engaged in shaping the future of MRCA, pushing for improvements that reflect the realities faced by veteran families.

Our next steps include:

• Ensuring full consultation in the design of the Defence and Veteran Services Commission
• Advocating for legislative updates that modernise language and remove systemic disadvantages
• Holding the Government accountable for its promise to review and improve the MRCA framework

The fight for a fair, inclusive and effective veteran support system continues. With collective effort and unwavering advocacy, we can ensure that war widows and veteran families receive the recognition and support they deserve.

The post The Veterans Harmonisation Bill: what it means for war widows and what comes next first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.