DFWA slams plan to shut down DVA
The Defence Force Welfare Association (DFWA), together with its partners in the Alliance of Defence Service Organisations (ADSO), say they have had opportunity to more closely examine the Productivity Commission’s draft report into compensation and rehabilitation for veterans, which was released shortly before Christmas.
A key recommendation of that draft report called for the abolition of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, with its roles and responsibilities handed over to the Department of Defence.
National President of DFWA Kel Ryan said that, while there are many aspects to the draft report that could be supported, the recommendation to eliminate the Department of Veterans Affairs and transfer veterans’ support functions to the Department of Defence must be rejected outright.
“The veterans’ community as a whole is arguably unanimous in its support for a specific Veterans’ Department to provide effective and efficient legislated veterans support programs,” Mr Ryan said, via the DFWA Facebook page.
“Equally, it supports DVA’s ongoing Veterans’ Centric Transformation and transition initiatives that are being currently implemented to address the recognised major deficiencies in past services delivery.
“DFWA welcomes the chance to join with its ADSO partners in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to set the agenda for the care and support of the veteran community into the future.
“DFWA, along with its ADSO partners is working closely with DVA to identify needs and problems, and to find solutions for them.
“We look forward to making written submissions on the Productivity Commission’s draft report and participating in planned public hearings to discuss the issues at hand with the commissioners.”
You can view the Productivity Commission Draft Report report, and put forward your own views views, via www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/veterans#draft
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