The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) has slammed Jane Hume's suggestion that DVA is overstaffed and that recent staffing increases in the Department should be wound back.
The Coalition was found by the Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans' Suicide to have failed veterans while they were in government, after they oversaw a backlog of veterans' claims blow out to almost 42,000.
In the case of DVA, we believe the Australian Government of the day failed to resource its policies efficiently. It failed to ensure that its public sector workforce, inclusive of labour hire staff, was 'structured for maximum efficiency and productivity'. And it failed veterans by pursuing a policy that substantially contributed to claims processing delays.
- Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans' Affairs Interim Report.
This left many veterans' waiting years for the support they needed and had devastating consequences on ex-serving members' lives.
The backlog of claims blew out thanks to the Coalition's arbitrary staffing cap on the APS, meaning DVA was understaffed, and most claims processing staff were in insecure labour hire roles.
With the addition of 1,000 more jobs in DVA, the backlog is finally under control. However, the volume of claims from veterans is continuing to increase and the average time it takes to process claims is still outside the agency's target.
At a recent Senate Estimates hearing, Department officials confirmed:
"If staffing numbers were reduced... it would obviously have a very rapid impact on the decisions that were starting to sit for longer then. New backlogs would begin to emerge."
In its most recent budget submission, the CPSU has called for an end to temporary staffing boosts and a commitment of ongoing funding for DVA to ensure that the agency can continue to meet the needs of veterans.
Quotes attributable to CPSU National Secretary, Melissa Donnelly:
"It is shocking and an insult to veterans, that Senator Jane Hume has this week suggested that DVA is overstaffed.
"When Jane Hume and Peter Dutton were last in government, they oversaw a backlog of veterans' claims blow out to almost 42,000.
"The Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans' Suicide found that their government failed veterans.
"It is clear that Peter Dutton and Jane Hume learnt nothing from a mistake that had devastating consequences, and they are gearing up to do it all again.
"Veterans and their families cannot afford a Dutton Government."
24 March 2025
