Albanese Government failing to defend the rights of ex-service personnel

The Albanese Government is failing to defend the rights of ex-service personnel to seek a review of possible medallic recognition for bravery, according to Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester.

Mr Chester said the Albanese Government’s unwarranted attack on the independent Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal (DHAAT) had been labelled as a ‘disgusting and disgraceful’ distraction from the important issues affecting the wellbeing of the veteran community at a Senate inquiry.

“At a time when he should be standing up for the rights of our veterans and their families, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh is missing in action and the Prime Minister needs to get involved in this issue,” Mr Chester said.

“There were 63 submissions to the Senate inquiry and 62 opposed the move to place a time limit of just 20 years on reviewable actions, along with limiting who can actually seek a review of a Defence decision.

“The Tribunal has warned the move would abolish the rights of Australian Defence Force personnel, veterans and their families.”

In his evidence, DHAAT Chair Stephen Skehill was scathing of the Albanese Government’s plan.

“The unequivocal fact is that there is not a single provision in this bill that would generate any benefit for any ADF member or veteran, any of their ADF families, or any of their supporters.

Overall, it would invalidate the vast majority of applications currently made to the Tribunal,” Mr Skehill said.

Mr Chester said it was offensive to the veteran community for the Minister to falsely claim there had been a consultation process when the Tribunal itself was not actively involved in drafting the legislation.

“There has been no meaningful consultation with any of the key stakeholders and the Minister has provided no explanation why this is a priority when he should be focused on supporting veterans’ mental health, not making it worse. 

“We have heard repeatedly that this Bill is causing stress in the veteran community and undermining mental health at a time when the government should be focused on implementing the findings of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

“This is a mean-spirited plan pushed by the Department of Defence because the senior officers have never liked the idea of an independent Tribunal reviewing their decisions. They’ve finally found a Minister who has been gullible enough to introduce the Bill to Federal Parliament, and the Prime Minister should intervene to prevent any further damage.

“In Opposition, the Prime Minister was quick to politicise cases like Ordinary Seaman Teddy Sheean but under his government’s changes, Teddy would never have received a Victoria Cross because the action occurred outside the 20-year time limit, and his family would be ineligible to seek a review.”

The Defence Amendment (Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal) Bill 2025 is expected to be debated in the Senate next week with the Coalition seeking the support of the crossbench to defeat the Bill.