VETERANS Affairs
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Re-establish the Defence and Veterans Legal Service
The Gerard Rennick People First Party acknowledges
the systemic failures within the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the
Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) that have led to widespread injustice,
including abuse, rape, and failures in leadership. The Royal Commission into
Defence and Veterans Suicide received over 5,000 submissions
detailing these failures, yet no meaningful reforms or justice have been
implemented. The ADF continues to operate without accountability, and no
individuals have been referred for criminal charges.
This policy is designed to empower all current and former
ADF personnel by ensuring they have access to truly independent,
external legal representation that is free from government and Defence
influence.
Policy Objectives
- Establish
an Independent Defence and Veterans Legal Authority (IDVLA)
- A
fully autonomous, non-government legal body to provide independent
legal advice and representation to all serving and former ADF personnel.
- Staffed
by experienced legal professionals, including specialists in military
law, human rights law, and criminal law.
- Free of Defence and government influence, ensuring impartiality and integrity.
- Guaranteed
Legal Support for Defence and Veteran Cases
- Access
to free and confidential legal advice for all ADF personnel and
veterans on issues including but not limited to:
- Workplace
harassment, abuse, and rape
- Medical
negligence and mental health claims
- Compensation
and entitlements
- Discharge
and dismissal disputes
- Unjust
military discipline and legal proceedings
- Whistleblower
protections
- Mandatory
External Legal Oversight of Military Investigations
- Independent
legal oversight for all Defence-related criminal allegations,
ensuring that complaints, including sexual assault and abuse cases, are
not handled solely within the ADF chain of command.
- Referral
of all criminal allegations to civilian law enforcement agencies
rather than internal Defence investigations.
- Independent
legal monitoring of Defence Force Ombudsman and Inspector-General of the
ADF processes.
- Legal
Protection for Whistleblowers and Complainants
- Immediate
legal safeguards for whistleblowers reporting ADF misconduct.
- Legal
assistance for veterans and families impacted by military failures or
systemic cover-ups.
- Stronger
legislative protections for current and former ADF personnel
seeking justice.
- Creation
of a Special Defence and Veterans Legal Fund
- A government-funded
but independently managed legal assistance fund to cover legal fees
for veterans and ADF personnel pursuing justice.
- Funding
sourced from reallocating Defence administration and legal budgets,
ensuring financial security for complainants.
- Independent
Review of Royal Commission Findings and Accountability Measures
- Conduct
a parliamentary inquiry into why the Royal Commission into
Defence and Veterans Suicide has failed to produce substantive
action.
- Establish
a dedicated criminal investigation team to review Royal
Commission submissions and refer individuals responsible for abuse,
rape, negligence, and cover-ups to law enforcement.
- Hold
Defence leaders and government officials accountable for systemic
failures and lack of action.
Implementation Plan
- First
100 Days in Government: Establish the Independent Defence and
Veterans Legal Authority (IDVLA) and initiate the Special Defence
and Veterans Legal Fund.
- First
6 Months: Pass legislation ensuring whistleblower protections, mandatory
external oversight of military legal cases, and civilian criminal
investigations for serious allegations.
- First
12 Months: Launch an independent legal review of all Royal
Commission submissions to determine criminal referrals and legal
redress for victims.
Conclusion
The Gerard Rennick People First Party is committed to ensuring
justice, accountability, and support for all ADF personnel and veterans. We
will not allow Defence misconduct and government inaction to continue
unchecked. Through independent legal support and enforcement, we will protect
those who serve and ensure justice for those failed by the system.
Help us fight for this policy.
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