RSL WA NEWS

Content Submission
Please note, we endeavour to plan ahead so timely submissions are appreciated. At least seven days prior notice is required for web social media posts.

RSL WA Content Submissions Guidelines
We appreciate you wanting to submit content for consideration for our website news and events, social media, and Listening Post and Sub-Branch Signal publications. As we receive a large number of submissions, unfortunately we are unable to publish everything we receive.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Our Share of the Task: RSL WA Response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide

December 6, 2024

On Monday 9 September 2024, Royal Commissioners Nick Kaldas APM (Chair), The Hon James Douglas KC and Dr Peggy Brown AO, delivered the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide to the Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC. This report was tabled in Federal Parliament on the same day.

On Monday 2 December 2024, the Federal Government released their positive response. This response is 160 pages, which we are currently reviewing to understand the implications for veterans.

When tackling the problem of Defence and Veteran Suicide, the Returned & Services League (RSL) has a vital role to play. We are the largest Ex Service Organisation (ESO) in the nation and the veteran community’s leading voice to Government. We provide services and programs for the wellbeing of veterans, and fundamentally believe that being a member of the RSL is a protective factor.

We have been reviewing the 122 recommendations of the Final Report in detail. The review has been undertaken in two parts, firstly by the Western Australian Veterans Affairs Committee (WAVAC) and the second part by the operational team.

The purpose of this review was to identify our share of the task.

While some of the practical details will need to be worked through, it is clear that the findings will influence and shape our service delivery and programs, how we operate and our culture, from Sub-Branches through to RSL WA and RSL Australia.

When it comes to RSL WA’s actions, services and programs, we have categorised our response thematically in operational categories. They are as follows:

Culture – within RSL WA sub-branches, service delivery staff and volunteers, member services.
Veterans and Families wellbeing – in all three phases: in service, transition, civilian.
Capability of staff and volunteers – adopting best practice models of care for veterans, providing appropriate training, and supporting the wellbeing of staff and volunteers.
Notifications and information sharing – understanding requirements of notifications to DVA/Comcare, WorkSafe entities where a reportable incident may occur. Sharing of information where consent is provided or duty of care warrants information sharing without consent.
Service creation – Development of new resources, programs, services that respond to the findings/recommendations of the Royal Commission and/or internal feedback or comment by (potential) veterans.
Continuous improvement – Utilising research findings/recommendations, internal audit and feedback mechanisms to improve service delivery.

‍

In the table below we have listed the operational categories against the relevant recommendation and detailed the possible action for RSL WA.

There is also a role for RSL WA to advocate for various recommendations. WAVAC, through its representation on the National Veterans Affair Committee (NVAC), will enable and inform RSL Australia to effectively advocate at the national level.

Where applicable and appropriate, RSL WA will also advocate for various recommendations with its key stakeholders in parliament, Defence and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

‍

Our share of this task will not be completed overnight. The work of responding to the Royal Commission for everyone will be a journey of months and years.

In formulating this response, RSL WA now has a benchmark and a framework to guide and inform our actions. It will support our efforts to ensure veterans and their families thrive in Western Australia.

‍

Operational Priorities for RSL WA

‍

Reference	Recommendation	Operational Category	Service Teams	Actions
63	Reduce stigma and remove structural and cultural barriers to help seeking	Culture	Membership Wellbeing Welfare Advocacy	RSL WA to consider the culture that exists within teams, committees etc. and within the broader RSL WA. Ensure appropriate training and development of staff to ensure that any structural or cultural barriers to Veterans seeking help have been removed.
79	Ensure that respect for and recognition of service are embedded throughout Defence and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs	Culture	Membership Wellbeing Welfare Advocacy	RSL WA to continue commemorative activities and consider how respect and recognition can be demonstrated for Veterans separating or transitioning from military service to civilian life.
4	Mitigate the adverse impacts of the posting cycle	Veteran and Families Wellbeing	Membership Wellbeing	RSL WA to look to deliver programs to assist in ADF Members and Families transitioning to new postings.
5	Support all serving members to decompress, rest and reintegrate, especially after high-risk experiences	Veteran and Families Wellbeing	Membership Wellbeing Welfare	RSL WA to provide opportunities for socialisation and respite activities for ADF members and families.
46	Ensure staff of the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force are trained in trauma-informed practice	Capability of RSLWA staff and Volunteers	Membership Wellbeing Welfare Advocacy	RSL WA staff and volunteers to undertake trauma informed practice training where applicable.
56	Improve guidance and understanding of Defence’s ‘if in doubt, notify’ policy	Capability of RSL WA staff and Volunteers	Membership Wellbeing Welfare Advocacy	RSL WA to review and ensure clear pathways of escalation within program/services are established to take action prior to the occurrence of a notifiable incident, and for notification to take place if required.
70	Revise protocols for responding to suicidal crisis to be in line with clinical best practice	Capability of RSL WA staff and Volunteers	Membership Wellbeing Welfare Advocacy Hub	RSL WA to ensure proper process regarding privacy and confidentiality and ensure a clear escalation pathway. Ensure staff know when to breach privacy to ensure the safety of a Veteran or family member.
74	Clarify the application of the Privacy Act to veterans to determine whether amendments are necessary	Capability of RSL WA staff and Volunteers	Membership Wellbeing Welfare Advocacy Hub	RSL WA to ensure proper process regarding privacy and confidentiality and ensure a clear escalation pathway.
78	Prevent, minimise and treat moral injury	Capability of RSL WA staff and Volunteers	Wellbeing Welfare Advocacy Hub	A review of processes, especially for Advocates to be conducted to ensure Veteran interactions are considerate of moral injury. RSL WA to consider using Moral Injury Outcome Scale or other tools where appropriate.
92	Review claims to the Department of Veterans Affairs associated with physical and sexual abuse	Capability of RSL WA staff and Volunteers	Advocacy Wellbeing Welfare	Inform the delivery of services by RSL WA to Veterans. Trauma Informed practice and developing an understanding of the dynamics of military sexual violence and other forms of abuse during service should be considered.
99	Improve compensation advocacy by funding professional, paid advocates	Capability of RSL WA staff and Volunteers	Advocacy	Recurrent funding of professional paid advocates would increase the number of claims that advocates can assist with. This funding should cover the need for different levels of advocates and seniority to ensure equitable payment matching of skills/training required of positions
102	Implement and improve upon the Defence Strategy for Preventing and Responding to Family and Domestic Violence	Capability of RSL WA staff and Volunteers	Membership Wellbeing Welfare Advocacy Hub	RSL WA should consider what actions will be taken where DFV might be observed or suspected during RSL WA activities
72	Expand and Strengthen healthcare services for veterans	Service Creation	Wellbeing Welfare Advocacy Hub	RSL WA will consider how expanded and strengthen healthcare services will be delivered at RSL WA facilities including Veteran Wellbeing Hubs.
57	Comcare to regularly review Defence Force determinations of ‘service nexus’ for suicide attempts and suspected deaths by suicide	Notifications & Information Sharing	Membership Wellbeing Welfare Advocacy	Where a Veteran engaged by RSL WA completes suicide RSL WA should provide notification to Comcare/DVA, especially where this occurs in relation to a Australian Government funded program (Reportable Incident).
68	Strike the right balance between upholding confidentiality and disclosing information when a member is in distress	Notifications & Information Sharing	Membership Wellbeing Welfare Advocacy	RSL WA to ensure proper process regarding privacy and confidentiality and ensure a clear escalation pathway.
72	Expand and strengthen healthcare services for veterans	Service Creation	Membership Wellbeing Welfare Advocacy Hub	RSL WA will consider how expanded and strengthened healthcare services will be delivered at RSL WA facilities including 'hubs'
76	Develop a postvention framework with experts and those with lived experience of suicide bereavement	Service Creation	Membership Wellbeing Welfare Advocacy Hub	Consider whether RSL WA has a part to play in postvention. Consider that those affected may be colleagues and workmates not just family and close friends.
77	Develop a suite of postvention resources in collaboration with stakeholders	Service Creation	Wellbeing Welfare Advocacy Hub	Develop a suite of postvention resources in collaboration with stakeholders. ESOs to collaborate with DVA and others to tailor resources to the military community and those affected by veteran suicide.
80	The Department of Veteran Affairs to take responsibility for supporting members to transition out of the ADF	Service Creation	Membership Wellbeing Welfare Hub	RSL WA to consider programs/services that further assist transition of veterans.
81	The Department of Veterans’ Affairs to fund a program to support members’ wellbeing during transition to civilian life	Service Creation	Membership Wellbeing Welfare Hub	RSL WA to consider programs/services that further assist transition of veterans. Identify funding to assist in development of programs
83	Increase opportunities for members to gain civilian qualifications from Defence training and education	Service Creation	Membership Wellbeing Welfare Hub	Consider expanding employment programs and possibly partner with an RTO that may be able to deliver appropriate training and possible RPL opportunities for Veterans
84	Issue separating members with a reference that sets their skills, experience and capability	Service Creation	Wellbeing Welfare Hub	Consider expanding employment programs and possibly partner with an RTO that may be able to deliver appropriate training and possible RPL opportunities for Veterans
85	Develop employment pathways for ex-serving members in public sector agencies	Service Creation	Wellbeing Welfare Hub	Consider expanding employment programs and possibly partner with an RTO that may be able to deliver appropriate training and possible RPL opportunities for Veterans
86	Ongoing funding for Veterans and Families Hubs	Service Creation	Wellbeing Welfare Advocacy Hub	Seek recurrent funding for Veterans and Families Hubs to support financial sustainability and ongoing operations. Funding model should ensure that the operating costs of hubs can be met. Recommendations identify the need for bespoke arrangements developed in consultation with lead organisations. Need to collect de-identified data and reporting requirements to inform ongoing service delivery improvements
93	Fund the Transition Medical Assessment Pilot Program on an ongoing and national basis	Service Creation	Wellbeing Hub	Consider whether the Transition Medical Assessment Pilot Program could be delivered in the Veteran and Family Hubs
60	Improve strategies for harm prevention and early intervention by sharing quality data with Comcare	Continuous Improvement	Wellbeing Welfare	RSL WA to deliver programs /services to assist with harm prevention and early intervention
91	Implement combined benefits processing for all initial liability and permanent impairment claims	Continuous Improvement	Advocacy	Ensure Advocates can assist where needed
115	Defence and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to publish their research into veteran health and wellbeing	Continuous Improvement	Membership Wellbeing Welfare Advocacy Hub	RSL WA will review any published research from Defence or DVA related to Veteran Wellbeing to consider improvements required in RSL WA programs/services
120	Increase funding for research into veteran health and wellbeing	Continuous Improvement	Membership Wellbeing Welfare Advocacy Hub	RSL WA will review any published research from National Health and Medical Research Council and consider findings/outcomes to shape Veteran Programs/service delivery
121	Enable research into the health and wellbeing of Defence families	Continuous Improvement	Membership Wellbeing Welfare Advocacy Hub	RSL WA will review any published research from National Health and Medical Research Council and consider findings/outcomes to shape Veteran Programs/service delivery
75	Conduct an independent review of Open Arms and publish the report	Continuous Improvement	Membership Wellbeing Welfare Advocacy Hub	If report for Open Arms is engaged, then RSL WA will review and consider any changes or alterations that may be required of RSL WA

‍

Advocacy Priorities for RSL WA

‍

Reference	Recommendation	Advocacy Category	Actions
63	Reduce stigma and remove structural and cultural barriers to help seeking	Culture	Support – Monitor progress of Defence RSL WA to support operationally
79	Ensure that respect for and recognition of service are embedded throughout Defence and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs	Culture Commemoration	Monitor progress of Defence and DVA RSL WA to continue commemorative activities
4	Mitigate the adverse impacts of the posting cycle	Veteran and Families Wellbeing	Monitor Defence progress RSL WA to support operationally
5	Support all serving members to decompress, rest and reintegrate, especially after high-risk experiences	Veteran and Families Wellbeing	Monitor Defence Progress RSL WA to support operationally
80	DVA to take responsibility for supporting members to transition out of the ADF	Veteran and Families Wellbeing	Monitor progress
81	The Department of Veterans’ Affairs to fund a program to support members’ wellbeing during transition to civilian life	Veteran and Families Wellbeing	Monitor progress RSL WA to support operationally
83	Increase opportunities for members to gain civilian qualifications from Defence training and education	Veteran and Families Wellbeing	Monitor progress RSL WA to support operationally
84	Issue separating members with a reference that sets their skills, experience and capability	Veteran and Families Wellbeing	Monitor progress RSL WA to support operationally
85	Develop employment pathways for ex-serving members in public sector agencies	Veteran and Families Wellbeing	Support – Monitor progress
88	Develop a national funding agreement on Veterans’ wellbeing	Veteran and Families Wellbeing	Support – Monitor progress
103	Improve the support, communication and services provided to Defence families	Veteran and Families Wellbeing	Support – Monitor progress RSL WA to support operationally
6	Improve the procedural fairness of the military employment classification system	Procedural Fairness	Monitor progress
52	Conduct a merits review when a member’s service is involuntarily terminated and they submit a redress of grievance complaint	Procedural Fairness	Monitor progress
53	Give Members 21 days to make a complaint after being notified of a decision to terminate their service	Procedural Fairness	Support – Monitor progress
46	Ensure staff of the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force are trained in trauma-informed practice	Improve organisational capacity of Defence and DVA	Support – Monitor progress RSL WA to support operationally
50	Amend the scope of the Inspector-General’s role to inquire into suicide deaths of former Australian Defence Force members	Improve organisational capacity of Defence and DVA	Monitor progress
51	The Inspector-General to regularly review inquiries into suicide deaths to determine common themes	Improve organisational capacity of Defence and DVA	Support – Monitor progress
57	Comcare to regularly review Defence Force determinations of ‘service nexus’ for suicide attempts and suspected deaths by suicide	Improve organisational capacity of Defence and DVA	Monitor progress
62	Establish a research translation centre for defence and veteran health care	Improve organisational capacity of Defence and DVA	Monitor progress
64	Establish an enterprise-wide program to monitor and prevent physical and psychological injury	Improve organisational capacity of Defence and DVA	Support – Monitor progress
65	Improve access to timeliness and quality of mental health screening and use the data effectively	Improve organisational capacity of Defence and DVA	Support – Monitor progress RSL WA to support operationally
69	Improve suicide prevention training so it is practical, tailored, informed by lived experience and delivered in person	Improve organisational capacity of Defence and DVA	Support – Monitor progress RSL WA to support operationally
78	Prevent, minimise and treat moral injury	Improve organisational capacity of Defence and DVA	Monitor progress RSL WA to support operationally
92	Review claims to the Department of Veterans Affairs associated with physical and sexual abuse	Improve organisational capacity of Defence and DVA	Monitor progress RSL WA to support operationally
71	Increase the Department of Veterans; Affairs fee schedule so it is aligned with that of the NDIS	Demand high quality health care and wellbeing services	Monitor progress
72	Expand and Strengthen healthcare services for veterans	Demand high quality health care and wellbeing services	Monitor progress RSL WA to support operationally
86	Ongoing funding for Veterans and Families Hubs	Demand high quality health care and wellbeing services	Support – Monitor progress
93	Fund the Transition Medical Assessment Pilot Program on an ongoing and national basis	Demand high quality health care and wellbeing services	Monitor progress
96	Ongoing funding for Provisional Access to Medical treatment	Demand high quality health care and wellbeing services	Monitor progress
101	Give Department of Veterans Affairs Clients more choice and autonomy	Demand high quality health care and wellbeing services	Support – Monitor progress RSL WA to support operationally
90	Remove the service differential for permanent impairment compensation and expand mental health support to all reserve personnel	Simplify DVA claiming and provide Adequate Compensation	Monitor progress
91	Implement combined benefits processing for all initial liability and permanent impairment claims	Simplify DVA claiming and provide Adequate Compensation	Monitor progress
94	Improve timeliness and reporting on information-sharing between Defence and the Department of Veterans' Affairs for claims processing	Simplify DVA claiming and provide Adequate Compensation	Monitor progress RSL WA to support operationally
95	Support the expanded application of 'presumptive liability'	Simplify DVA claiming and provide Adequate Compensation	Support – Monitor progress
97	Consider giving the Veteran Payment to more Veterans with physical health conditions	Simplify DVA claiming and provide Adequate Compensation	Monitor progress
99	Improve compensation advocacy by funding professional, paid advocates	Simplify DVA claiming and provide Adequate Compensation	Support – Monitor progress
100	Improve the transparency, accountability and effectiveness of the Department of Veterans' Affairs rehabilitation program	Ensure adequate oversight of Defence and DVA	Monitor progress RSL WA to support operationally
115	Defence and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to publish their research into veteran health and wellbeing	Ensure adequate oversight of Defence and DVA	Monitor progress
116	Improve the quality, evaluation, translation and sharing of research findings	Ensure adequate oversight of Defence and DVA	Monitor progress RSL WA to support operationally
122	Establish a new statutory entity to oversee system reform across the whole Defence ecosystem	Ensure adequate oversight of Defence and DVA	Support – Monitor progress
89	Establish a national peak body for ex-service organisations	Research and Continuous Improvement	Support – Monitor progress RSL WA to support operationally
120	Increase funding for research into veteran health and wellbeing	Research and Continuous Improvement	Support – Monitor progress
121	Enable research into the health and wellbeing of Defence families	Research and Continuous Improvement	Support – Monitor progress

Need Help?

ANZAC House

Find a Sub-branch

STAY INFORMED WITH RSL WA

Be part of the journey! Stay connected with RSL WA, receiving timely announcements, news and events, as well as impactful initiatives and updates on our veterans’ support services.