National President’s Open Letter to Members
Dear RSL Members,
On 16 October, I was elected National President of the Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL). I am honoured to serve you as your National President. I have been deeply moved by the overwhelmingly positive response from across the veteran community. I am very proud to be the first national president from Western Australia and the first from the SAS community.
I see my election as National President, not as a personal achievement, but a collective responsibility. We, as a League of over 153,000 strong members, have a responsibility to remain relevant and to continue to serve those who serve for many years to come.
The RSL stands at a critical juncture for all veterans, but specifically the contemporary cohort from post-Vietnam onwards. The RSL’s relevance depends on its ability to deliver for contemporary veterans while honouring our heritage. This requires an honest assessment of what works, what doesn't, and what must change.
I have a vision for the task ahead:
First, we need to position veterans’ issues as national security priorities. The way Australia treats its veterans directly impacts Defence capability, recruitment, and retention. This is not about charity – it's about national preparedness and it’s about looking after our people. The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has laid bare the challenges facing our community. I will lead the RSL’s effort to ensure the full implementation of the recommendations, not selective adoption. The systemic issues that have failed too many veterans must be addressed. I am writing to and meeting with key stakeholders in Government, Defence, DVA and other key organisations to begin this work.
Second, we must bridge the generational divide. Too many younger veterans have seen the RSL as irrelevant to their needs. We need to earn their trust through action, not rhetoric. This means addressing contemporary issues: transition support, employment pathways, mental health services, and cutting through bureaucratic barriers that drive veterans to despair. It also means continuing to research the human impact of service to ensure that our contemporary veterans receive the services and support that were missing post the Vietnam War. The RSL has independently funded the MEAO Scoping Study into the impact of service in the Middle East and other theatres on veterans and their families since 2002. This is a prelude to an intended more extensive study over two to three years, which will allow for the development of evidence-based services and support for this cohort.
Third, the RSL needs stronger policy and advocacy capability at the national level. We are starting to build this. The National Office has the primary function of advocating for all veterans and not just those who choose RSL membership. The RSL National Office must continue to evolve into the authoritative voice on veteran affairs and the defence and security of our nation. While respecting our federated structure, we must speak with one unified voice on all critical veteran matters. I will pursue independent funding sources to continue to build this capacity without compromising state autonomy.
Contribute your expertise where it matters
I'm not asking you to join committees or attend meetings for the sake of it. I'm asking you to contribute your expertise where it matters: helping design better transition programs, mentoring younger veterans, providing input on policy positions, and holding the system accountable for delivering results. Reaching out to others you served with and inviting them to get involved and help us make this shift.
If your local sub-branch isn't meeting contemporary needs, help reshape it. If you see gaps in service provision, help us identify solutions. If you have concerns about how the RSL operates, provide constructive feedback directly.
My commitment is straightforward: the RSL will be veteran-focused, not veteran-adjacent. We will measure success not just by membership numbers or ceremonial activities, but by tangible improvements in veteran outcomes. I welcome direct communication from our members. The challenges are significant, but so is our collective capability to address them.
The work begins immediately.
Regards,
Peter Tinley AM
National President Returned & Services League of Australia