Don’t Throw the DVA Baby Out With the Bathwater
MEDIA RELEASE
The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) says the new Australian Government elected this Saturday, May 3 must continue the good work of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) in clearing veteran compensation and entitlement claims backlog.
RSL National President Greg Melick said the outgoing Labor Government had done a good job in providing the resources to enable DVA to reduce what was a previously devastating claims backlog. Maintaining this impetus is one of the RSL’s five key asks of all parties and candidates contesting the current federal election.
Greg Melick said the RSL had long advocated for increased DVA resources to speed up the claims handling process.
At the same time, the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide found that delays in accessing entitlements have a major impact on veterans’ mental health.
“Over the past three years, the DVA compensation claims backlog has been reduced significantly, and veterans and their families on average are now receiving their entitlements much sooner after the lodgement of claims,” Greg Melick said.
“Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Matt Keogh has done an excellent job in promoting veteran interests and ensured that DVA was provided with the resources to clear the claims backlog.
“With election day now imminent, we don’t want to see the baby thrown out with the bathwater and are looking to the next Government to ensure that the momentum gained is not lost.
“This means that DVA’s budget and staff resources must be maintained and increased to meet the growing demands of the veteran sector and to further reduce the claims processing time.
“We have welcomed the bi-partisan approach to veterans’ issues from the major parties in recent years and are looking for that to continue.”
Greg Melick said the RSL had sought assurances from all parties and candidates at the election for sustained investment in DVA to effectively support the health, wellbeing, and future of veterans, and their families.
“As well as financial resources, the incoming Government must ensure DVA has the trained staff and systems necessary to ensure the timely processing of veterans' compensation claims and to prevent a recurrence of the past claims backlog.
“Claims processing and transparency must be strengthened and the Department’s IT systems significantly improved to enhance linkages and communication with the Department of Defence and other Government Departments.
“While the situation has improved markedly under Minister Keogh, the job is not finished, and we don’t want to see the impetus lost as a result of staff or budget cuts.
“Rather, the RSL is looking for more resources to be provided to meet the current and growing need and particularly in the implementation of the Royal Commission’s recommendations related to postvention support, transition programs, and ongoing funding of essential services,” Greg Melick said.
View RSL Australia’s election requests: www.rslaustralia.org/election-asks
View messages from Labor, The Greens and The Coalition in response to RSL’s requests: www.rslaustralia.org/2025-election
