On the 21st March 2025 ADSO wrote to the Government and Opposition, all political party leaders and key independent MP’s/Senators seeking a ‘yes or no’ answer on what action they will take in the new Parliament on 22 issues of vital concern to veterans and their families.
Neither major party has produced a Veterans Affairs Policy which fully answers the 22 Questions put to them by ADSO on behalf of veterans and their families prior to the election campaign being called.
ADSO spokesperson Hon Martin Hamilton-Smith said.
“Serious issues for veterans include veterans’ affairs governance, superannuation reform, compensation and rehabilitation reform, the adverse impact on veterans of a failure of the military justice system and the need to fix a broken Honours and Awards System.”
“ Despite ANZAC Day commemoration falling in the middle of the campaign Veterans and their families are disappointed that government and the alternative government have failed to fully respond with ‘yes or no’ answers to calls for action by government on veterans’ concerns”
“ Late Saturday 26th April in response to ADSO, Andrew Hirst Federal Director of the Coalition campaign provided ADSO with a welcome offering on veterans’ matters including a $32m grant for new Veterans and Families Hubs in regional electorates and funding for some other projects including the Invictus Games, the veteran’s chaplaincy programme, the Families of Veteran’s Guild and the Defence Kid’s programme. But the Coalition response provided no indication that they had read, understood, or had a plan to action the 22 questions of concern provided by ADSO on behalf of veterans who are living through the same cost of living crisis impacting all Australians, with the additional burden of their service-related disabilities.”
“ Late on Sunday 27th April ADSO received welcome, thorough, and considered correspondence from Matt Keogh Minister for Veterans Affairs on behalf of the ALP campaign responding in principle to many of ADSO’s questions, rejecting some, accepting a few and discussing others, but falling short of firm ‘yes or no’ commitments for action. The ALP response makes clear that an ALP government understands the issues raised by ADSO and is open for negotiation, an encouraging signal to veterans and their families.
“Our Defence Family comprises current serving (Regular and Reserve Forces) and past serving veterans (581,139) and including their dependant families, is estimated at 800,000 people. However, their voting influence could extend to several million people through the support from their immediate families, their wider kin and Defence and veterans’ stakeholders, many located in marginal seats. “
“No response has been received from The Greens, Trumpet of Patriots, One Nation, or Independent MPs, except the Hon Andrew Wilkie who has positively replied.
“ADSO will inform veterans stakeholders of the government and alternative government correspondence on the 22 questions before polling day. Electors have a right to know where the parties stand.”
Hon Martin Hamilton-Smith
ADSO Media Spokesperson
[email protected]
0408 854 707