The proposed bill to limit the time that military medals can be awarded has been scrapped following heavy criticism from veterans. Photo: Supplied.
The Federal Government has scrapped plans to place a time limit on awarding military medals retrospectively.
Announced in September, the proposed bill would have imposed a 20-year cut-off limit, from the time of conflict, for reviewing the awarding of military honours denied by the Department of Defence.
It was labelled as a “betrayal of veterans” by former Wagga Wagga resident and Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Veterans Association chairperson Ian Lindgren.
“Medals aren’t just medals,” he said.
“They’re a representation of a time when you deployed and worked in a situation that was hugely dangerous.
“We lose more people now, double the number of people in peacetime than we do in war. And so to a uniform person, medals represent the hardships, the mateship, the friendships and the dedication to duty that they undertook while they were deployed.
“It’s that family’s heritage. So if we had a 20-year cut-off, which usually takes about that long to give them out, you would deny all the people who served as well as their kids and families, who learn what their parents or their relatives did.”
Mr Lindgren said the proposed bill was further proof of the Federal Government’s lack of understanding regarding veterans’ affairs and demonstrated the need for an independent veterans commission.
“One of the key points and recommendations identified in the royal commission was the need for veterans to be consulted on all major changes to the veteran community,” he said.
“This particular bill that was put forward to change the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal had not been consulted with anybody.
“If you’re not a veteran, you don’t understand what it is that we need, and this was another example of that.
“In this case, the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs [Alison Frame] stepped up and said, ‘No, you did not consult senior veteran leaders’.
“Had they been, there would have been a totally united refusal to accept this bill.”
Mr Lindgren applauded the new leadership of the RSL, including new RSL national president Peter Tinley AM, in standing firm against the proposal.
“There has been some tremendous new leadership from the RSL and many other veterans’ associations. It shows that while we can all have different opinions, we can be united for the best interests of the veteran community,” he said.
Despite the pushback, Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh said the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal still needed to be modernised.
“The bill was crafted to respond to concerns raised by the tribunal itself in its decisions and annual reports on the risks associated with decisions being made when it is difficult, if not impossible, to refer to objective and independent evidence,” Mr Keogh said in a statement.
“The government acknowledges the work of the Senate committee in conducting its inquiry into the bill and will work with all parties and the veteran community on ensuring the tribunal and its functions remain fit for purpose.
“I look forward to engaging with all stakeholders on progressing constructive consultation on these matters, while continuing to progress the implementation of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s recommendations at pace so that our Defence, veteran and family community receive the support they need and deserve.”
