Australia has long prided itself on its military history, often glorifying its martial past in a way that elevates the nation’s identity on the world stage. From the ill-fated Gallipoli campaign during World War I to more recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, the contributions of the Australian Defence Forces (ADF) are etched into the national consciousness. However, despite this glorification of military service, Australia’s treatment of its veterans paints a disturbing picture of neglect and systemic failure, exemplified by the findings of the recent Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

The Royal Commission’s final report serves as a damning indictment of Australia’s military establishment and government. Commissioner Nick Kaldas, in his scathing remarks, described Defence’s treatment of veterans and serving personnel as “a catastrophic failure of leadership at all levels.” This revelation speaks to decades of neglect, where young, energetic, and intelligent individuals, once celebrated for their service, are too often cast aside when their physical and mental health deteriorates due to the very demands of that service.

Veterans’ Health Week, with its theme of “Keep Connected,” emphasizes the importance of social connectedness for veterans and their families. While well-intentioned, this focus is a stark contrast to the reality faced by many veterans. For decades, those who have suffered physical injuries or mental trauma in the line of duty have been marginalized, isolated, and stigmatized. The military’s swift disconnection from its personnel once they are deemed medically unfit is a troubling hallmark of this failure. Rather than rehabilitating or supporting these individuals, Defence often opts for medical discharge, severing ties in ways that only exacerbate the trauma.

This institutional abandonment is not new. The Royal Commission’s findings merely add to a vast and largely ignored body of evidence, compiled over decades, that highlights the systemic mistreatment of veterans. Official inquiries into veteran care have produced hundreds of thousands of pages of reports, but action has been woefully lacking. Successive governments have repeatedly failed to address the issues raised, leaving countless veterans and their families to fend for themselves. Yet, every year, Australia’s political class and military top brass are front and centre during national commemorations of military history, basking in the reflected glory of a narrative that often ignores the pain and suffering of those who return home damaged.

In less than a month, Australians will gather to commemorate Remembrance Day, a solemn occasion to honour the nation’s military dead. This day holds immense significance, though it pales in comparison to the overwhelming nationalism of Anzac Day, which marks Australia’s participation in the Gallipoli campaign. Gallipoli, a military failure that resulted in the deaths of over 8,700 Australians, has been mythologized as the birth of the Australian nation. However, the personal toll of this conflict, and others like it, is often swept aside in the pursuit of national pride.

World War I left many survivors deeply scarred, both physically and mentally. Over 152,000 Australians returned home wounded, and many became victims of addiction, homelessness, domestic violence, and suicide. The broader society was ill-equipped to handle the fallout, with much of the suffering playing out behind closed doors. Politicians and military leaders, quick to showcase Australia’s military service, were often just as quick to ignore the personal toll on veterans. The many limbless, facially disfigured, or mentally broken were pushed to the margins, out of sight and out of mind.

Australia’s treatment of its veterans, however, suggests that Defence is more comfortable celebrating battlefield heroes than caring for its discharged casualties. This is why the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, and the federal government’s response, is so crucial. Civil society should not abandon those who have sacrificed so much. Yet, in a cruel irony, Defence’s legal conduct during the Royal Commission revealed precisely why the institution seems so incapable of meaningful cultural change.

As the federal government contemplates its formal response to the Royal Commission, Australia must confront its long history of neglecting its veterans. It is time for real change, not just symbolic gestures. Only then can we truly honour the sacrifices made by those who serve.

In a significant shift from earlier statements, the Australian government is providing 49 M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine as part of its latest military aid package, valued at A$245 million. This new contribution raises Australia’s total military assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 to A$1.3 billion, with overall support now totalling A$1.5 billion.

Earlier in the year, Defence Minister Richard Marles had downplayed the possibility of such a donation, stating in February that it was “not on the agenda.” However, government sources explain that the transfer required approval from the United States, as Australia originally purchased the tanks from Washington, and there was a formal process that needed to be followed.

Pat Conroy, Australia’s Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, announced the decision while in London en route to the NATO defence ministers meeting in Brussels. During the meeting, Conroy is expected to meet with Ukraine’s defence minister. Australia, alongside New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea, forms the “Indo-Pacific Four,” a group of non-NATO countries attending the summit in support of Ukraine.

The 49 M1A1 tanks being sent to Ukraine are nearing the end of their operational life, meaning a small number will require repairs before delivery. Alternatively, they could be used for spare parts, depending on Ukraine’s preference for a faster deployment. Australia will retain a small number of these tanks to assist in its transition to the newer M1A2 fleet.

Minister Conroy reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to Ukraine, stating: “We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine in their fight against Russia’s illegal invasion. These tanks will provide crucial firepower and mobility, complementing the broader support from our international partners.”

Vice Admiral Mark Hammond attends the graduation of the first three Australian officers to attend Nuclear Power School in Charleston. (United States Navy/Defence)

Australia’s entry into the nuclear age has been officially recognised, after seven Royal Australian Navy sailors graduated from the United States Navy’s most tightly-controlled Nuclear Power School. Their course was held ahead of the navy’ switch from diesel to reactor-powered subs.

A statement from Defence said the sailors graduated “alongside a third group of RAN officers who also graduated: and were “the pioneers towards Australia establishing a sovereign, conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarine fleet in the early 2030s.”

The so-called nuke school is essential for the AUKUS pact because, irrespective of where the boats ultimately come from, it’s the powerplant that gives them the edge.

Nuclear-fuelled subs are not as silent as some of their competitors; that’s not really the point. It’s just they can remain very, very quiet for very long periods of time without coming up for air and thus without risking detection.

The navy is emphatic this is a skill and capability worth acquiring and working on.

A Defence statement said chief of navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond “acknowledged the rigorous training the sailors completed at the school. “

“Naval Nuclear Power training is exceptionally rigorous and to have seven Australian sailors and five officers complete the program and move on to the Nuclear Power Training Unit takes us closer to operating our own SSNs,” Hammond said.

“The seven enlisted RAN sailors trained at the Nuclear Power School from October 2023, and have been learning the science and engineering principles that are fundamental to the design, operation, and maintenance of naval nuclear propulsion plants alongside American and British submariners,” Defence said.

“The graduates will start this month at the United States Naval Nuclear Power Training Command, which trains officers, enlisted sailors, and civilians for shipboard nuclear power plant operation and maintenance of surface ships and submarines in the US Navy’s nuclear fleet.”

Defence said “RAN personnel are in various stages of the US nuclear-powered submarine training pipeline to equip them with skills and experience aboard the US Virginia Class SSNs,” and that “assignment of RAN sailors to US submarines is a fundamental step towards developing the skills needed to crew the Virginia-class submarines that Australia will own and operate from the early 2030s.”

“Last month, Australian sailors conducted the first maintenance period on an SSN in Australia. Today we graduate the first enlisted personnel from an exceptionally rigorous school; already we have Australian officers serving aboard both US and UK SSNs,” said director-general of the Australian Submarine Agency, Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead.

“Thirty-seven months after AUKUS’ inception, we are well on our way to developing Australia’s SSN capability,” Mead said.

All we need now are the boats.

RSL NSW, the state branch of the Returned and Services League of Australia, is facing significant internal turmoil following a series of board conflicts and serious allegations against its leadership. The organization, which has long represented the interests of veterans, is now grappling with accusations that its president, Mick Bainbridge, exploited veterans and allowed a conflict of interest to develop involving his law firm and lobbying activities.

The controversy reached new heights when Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie made explosive claims under parliamentary privilege. Lambie alleged that Bainbridge’s law firm, which he co-founded with fellow RSL NSW director Paul James, had been overcharging veterans for legal services. This law firm was designed to be veteran-friendly, making the accusations even more alarming. Both Bainbridge and James have firmly denied these allegations, stating there is no basis for such claims.

Adding to the upheaval, former RSL NSW chair Sophie Ray has lodged an internal complaint against Bainbridge, accusing him of bullying, issuing threats, failing to disclose conflicts of interest, and neglecting his responsibilities to act in the best interests of RSL NSW and its members. Bainbridge, however, refuted these accusations, denying any misconduct.

Ray’s departure as chair in June, four months before her term was scheduled to end, was reportedly an attempt to defuse escalating tensions on the board. Her resignation followed months of heated board meetings that frequently devolved into shouting matches, with little progress being made on key issues affecting veterans and their families.

Earlier this year, an external consultant was brought in to assess the growing dysfunction within the board. The consultant’s report concluded that the board’s infighting had rendered it dysfunctional and that the organization’s ability to adequately support veterans would be significantly compromised if immediate changes were not implemented. Despite these warnings, Ray claims that Bainbridge and James continued to engage in bullying and intimidating tactics against other directors even after her resignation.

James, in his defence, expressed disappointment over the accusations, stating, “We’re disappointed and totally disagree with the untrue and untested claims made against us.” Despite the denials, the situation has only fuelled further division within the organization.

The ongoing crisis has raised concerns among veterans and stakeholders about the future of RSL NSW and its ability to fulfill its mission of supporting those who served. Without resolution, the organization risks not only losing its credibility but also its capacity to advocate for the welfare of the veteran community it serves.

ED: Authors name known but withheld on request.

An incentive scheme aimed at addressing recruitment challenges in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) will be rolled out next month. The two-year trial initiative is set to provide a $1,000 payment to any ADF member who successfully refers a recruit who completes 12 months of service in the permanent forces.

The scheme, according to information reported by the ABC over the weekend, will reward ADF personnel for their role in recruiting others, with payments made once the new recruit has served for a full year. This approach is borrowed from practices common in the commercial sector, where companies offer referral bonuses to employees for successfully recommending new hires. These programs are often seen as a cost-effective way to incentivize recruitment while leveraging existing networks within the workforce.

In 2023, the federal government’s Defence Strategic Review (DSR) identified the need for reforms to speed up recruitment. It recommended that the timeframe between application and enlistment be reduced significantly, advocating for the process to be completed in days rather than months. The DSR also advised a comprehensive review of the ADF Reserves by 2025 and suggested reconsidering the reintroduction of a Ready Reserve Scheme to further enhance recruitment.

A target of increasing the ADF to 80,000 uniformed personnel by 2040 was set by the previous federal government, aligning with plans to operate newly acquired military equipment. However, the Defence Force is currently operating with over 4,300 fewer personnel than its authorized strength of 62,735, according to former Chief of the Defence Force General Angus Campbell, who addressed the issue earlier this year in Senate estimates.

While this incentive scheme aims to ease recruitment shortfalls, other innovative and sustainable recruitment methods should be explored to ensure the long-term growth and effectiveness of the ADF.

ED: I’d be interested in your opinion on this or any ideas to increase recruitment.

HMAS Warramunga arrives at Port Melville, Melville Island, Northern Territory, where the Expeditionary Logistics Team – Maritime provided food and fuel to the ship before returning to the sea phase of Exercise Kakadu. Photo: Warrant Officer Shane Cameron

The Royal Australian Navy recently enhanced its supply chain operations, successfully testing the Expeditionary Logistics Team – Maritime (ELT-M) concept during Exercise Kakadu. This milestone involved deploying the ELT-M to Melville Island, located in the Tiwi Islands off the Northern Territory coast, where the team provided essential stores and fuel to a ship operating nearby.

During the exercise, HMAS Warramunga docked at Port Melville to receive 11 pallets of dry and refrigerated food supplies, along with approximately 250 cubic meters (cz) of maritime diesel fuel. The operation, led by Lieutenant Commander Michael Dunstan, took about six hours and showcased the Navy’s ability to streamline logistics in challenging environments.

Lieutenant Commander Dunstan described the event as a significant advancement for the Navy’s logistical capabilities. “The ELT-M demonstrated a ‘push logistics’ model, where orders were raised by the Fleet Logistics Directorate, submitted to suppliers, and then delivered by the ELT-M directly to the ship,” he said. The concept aims to provide scalable, forward-deployed logistics support to ships in remote locations.

To ensure the quality of the provisions, the team used temperature data loggers to monitor and maintain optimal conditions for frozen and chilled goods throughout the supply chain. The operation underscored the ELT-M’s ability to resupply vessels in isolated regions where traditional contractors are unavailable.

The success of this logistics effort was bolstered by cooperation with several Navy and Army units, including Joint Logistics Unit – North, 1 Combat Service Support Battalion, and 36 Water Transport Troop.

Commander Dylan Phillips, the Commanding Officer of HMAS Warramunga, emphasized the importance of this capability for maintaining the ship’s operational readiness. “Modern ships are complex, with thousands of parts. When something breaks or wears out, having the ability to get replacements delivered to remote locations at short notice is critical – and the ELT-M makes that possible,” he said.

Established in 2023, the ELT-M is based at Fleet Headquarters and consists of two maritime logistics officers and two logistics sailors. When activated, it can be supplemented by personnel from other fleet battle staff and force commands, including medical, communications, and transport specialists.

Well, I hope you are all missing the full coverage on Frontline, we are still travelling and having great weather and visiting many wonderful places along the Queensland coastline. We called into Camp Gregory, a veteran’s free camp at Woodgate it was great to see the progress that has been made over the years since Roger Dwyer first started the retreat. It is totally free for veterans and first responders. If you don’t have a caravan or RV, no worries they have dongers available … I recommend Camp Gregory as a place to relax, catch some fish or crabs.

I don’t think I will be able to post to Frontline for the next three days, doubt we will have any internet.

Take care

Ray