Anzac Memorial, Hyde ParkSydney
*** CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY ***I want to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet today, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, and pay my respect to their Elders past and present.
I also acknowledge all those who have served, or continue to serve our nation in uniform, and the families who support them.
We're here today to talk about the power of volunteering.
That story is usually told with reference to the impact volunteers have on those communities they help - and that's as it should be.
But there is another, perhaps equally important side to that gold coin.
Volunteering helps the helper - it's as simple as that. And today we'll be hearing a lot about some solid research that goes to show that is indeed the case.
Veterans are a huge part of Australia's volunteering story. According to the last census, they volunteer at significantly higher rates than other Australians.
Nearly 1 in 5 veterans volunteer - 19 per cent - that's compared to 14% for the rest of us.
Veterans with a disability are even more likely to volunteer at 21%. And those not in the labour force - 22%.
The study being launched today talks about the benefits veterans and first responders experience when they leave the military and participate in community volunteer programs.
At its core is developing and validating a model - the DRA Wellbeing Model.
I was struck by the stated outcome of DRA's wellbeing model: to lower risk of suicide.
It isn't often - if ever, to my knowledge - that a community organisation openly and expressly states that that its ultimate aim is to reduce suicide among its volunteers.
And yet that is precisely what is required in our veteran community.
In fact, all of our efforts in this space should be directed to this very end.
And it is of course the purpose of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
The Royal Commission has already found that Australia's veteran compensation and rehabilitation legislative system is so complicated that it adversely affects the mental health of some veterans -- and can contribute to suicidality.
We are currently working to fix this.
A draft new law - the Veterans' Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Bill 2024 - is now available for consultation.
When passed, this will simplify and harmonise three existing pieces of legislation into one ongoing act, so veterans and their families can more easily get the support they are entitled to.
And we want your feedback. The consultation period closes on 28 April (this Sunday), so if you haven't already done so, I encourage you to make a submission.
I want to assure you that supporting the mental health of veterans and families and reducing the risk of suicide is and will remain a top priority for this Government.
Defence and DVA are working together to develop a new joint Defence and Veteran Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
The strategy is about current and former Australian ADF members and families having access to the right mental health support and services, at the right time.
It's expected to be launched later this year.
Over the last few years, members of the veteran community have shared with us what is important to them when it comes to mental health and wellbeing.
Some key themes have emerged from this feedback, including that access to treatment and support is needed in a timely manner.
We need simpler processes and better engagement from DVA and health providers.
Their services and supports should be easily accessible, with greater access to services needed in rural and remote areas.
The feedback has highlighted that improving mental health and wellbeing literacy is vital to improving health outcomes.
Importantly, the continuing stigma and implications of disclosing mental health concerns should be addressed.
We've also heard that greater support during transition is needed and barriers to accessing services and supports should be reduced.
To do this, we must value the insights from those with lived experience - systems, programs and services should be co-designed.
We have heard from all corners of the veteran community: those who have served, families, women, First Nations people, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people with disability, and many other groups.
I want to take this opportunity thank everyone in the veteran community who have shared their views and lived experiences.
Your feedback is helping to shape the strategy and the future of mental health and wellbeing for our veterans and Defence members.
We're also expanding mental health support for veterans across the country.
I'm sure you're all aware of our Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling service.
It's free for veterans and their families, it's effective, and so we're opening more offices around the country.
I was just up in Brisbane last week where I had the pleasure of opening two more branches.
I've said before and I will say it again: please look after your veteran mates.
Please keep an eye on your mates and encourage them to call Open Arms for support if and when they need it.
Just one conversation can make a difference.
Finally, a big round of thank-yous and congratulations is in order. First to the generous funders of this research. Movember - what a great Australian story.
In an age where every day, every week and every month has been assigned to a health cause - Movember has stood the test of time.
Over 20 years strong, almost $1.5 billion dollars raised, and more than 1,300 men's health projects funded.
All this made possible by about 7 million Mo Bros and Mo Sisters.
Disaster Relief Australia is a brilliant concept.
An organisation that unites the skills and experiences of ADF veterans with first responders to deploy disaster response teams to where they're needed most.
I recently had the honour of thanking DRA's volunteers who have been doing important work up in Southeast Queensland to help communities recover from the intense storms and flooding.
The camaraderie and hard work I saw was exceptional.
When people experience such disasters, there is a lot of anxiety, a lot of stress.
Disaster victims told me that when they saw the DRA volunteers in their trusty blue shirts come into their front yard, or knock on their door, they felt a sense of relief.
Because they know these volunteers are well trained. They've got the competencies and skills they gained as first responders and as members of the military.
That skillset ensures they get the job done.
So, I would like to thank the volunteers again. The work you do is invaluable.
Please keep showing up, please keep doing what you.
Because - as is now demonstrated - it's great for you as well as the communities you help.
I'm proud to be a member of a Government that's supporting Disaster Relief Australia.
And I am proud of DRA for supporting our veterans.
I look forward to hearing more about the benefits of volunteering identified in this research.
Thank you.
