Monday, 28th August 2023

The VAC held its 86th meeting on 6 July 2023, chaired by COL Rob Manton.

 

Key items of discussion included:

Royal Commission into Defence & Veterans’ Suicide  

The VAC received a presentation from the Assistant Director, Communications & Community Engagement, Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans’ Suicide in preparation for the Adelaide Hearing Block beginning on Monday, 17 July 2023.

Topics discussed included data on the number of submissions received, emerging themes from previous hearing blocks and the process to be followed towards the final report and recommendations.

Brief to SA Magistrates – Judicial Development Meeting

The VAC received a briefing on a plan to improve the general judicial awareness of veteran issues. VAC member and Senior Advisor, Veterans Services at the Department of Correctional Services, Mr Chris Tilley to present to South Australian Magistrates at the judicial development meeting to be held in October 2023.

Veteran Identification on Hospital Admission Forms

The VAC discussed the lack of veteran identifiers on medical forms when accessing health services such as hospital, aged care and general practice and considered a means to seek endorsement of the identification of veterans in medical settings through the Draft SA Health Veteran Wellbeing Plan 2023-26.

ESO Consortium Submission on Legislative Reform

The VAC considered and formally supported the submission by the South Australian Consortium of Ex-Service Organisations to the Commonwealth Government’s Veterans’ Legislation Reform Consultation Pathway.

Defence and Veterans’ Family Day

The VAC received a briefing on the merits of proclaiming a Defence and Veterans’ Family Day in South Australia and agreed to continue discussions at the next meeting.

Proposal to establish a South Australian Contemporary Veterans’ Forum

The VAC agreed to support an initiative to convene a Younger Veterans’ Forum to empower the voice of younger veterans.

Veterans SA Update

The VAC received an update from Veterans SA Director, Ms Chantelle Bohan, on the current priorities of the agency, including:

  • Mentoring program launch on 20 June 2023
  • Vietnam50 story collection project
  • Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment – connecting veterans and public sector job opportunities
  • Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide – Director, Veterans SA appearing on Tuesday, 18 July 2023
  • Regional outreach upcoming – Gawler Show and Riverland Field Days
  • SA Veteran Community Connection Event – 22 August 2023

Ongoing Matters

The VAC remains seized of the following matters:

  • The state government’s review of concessions for South Australians,
  • The consultation process regarding veterans’ legislation
  • The proposed Northern Adelaide Wellbeing Centre and
  • The Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans’ Suicide

VAC meeting 4 May 2023

The next meeting of the VAC is scheduled for 14 September 2023

To contact the VAC directly regarding South Australian based veteran issues please email veteransadvisorycouncil@sa.gov.au or via post:

Veterans SA
Level 4
151 Pirie Street
Adelaide SA 5000