Roberts-Smith broke moral and legal rules, judge finds
SAS veteran Ben Roberts-Smith committed multiple war crimes including murder while deployed in Afghanistan, a Federal Court judge has found.
veterans affairs
Former soldier’s towering presence absent judgement day
Ben Roberts-Smith was nowhere to be seen when a court ruled the recipient of Australia's highest military honour had disgraced his nation.
Media herald Roberts-Smith finding critical for justice
Journalists have welcomed the Ben Roberts-Smith defamation findings as a win for justice and democracy, amid calls to strip the SAS veteran of his medals.
Thousands attend Anzac services across Queensland
Crowds have gathered in the thousands across Queensland to mark the 108th anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli.
Australian flag lowered at home, abroad for Anzac Day
As those who died in service to the nation are remembered there are calls to improve the treatment of veterans, especially from the Korean and Vietnam wars.
Australians honour defence personnel, past and present
More than 100 years since the Gallipoli landings, thousands have gathered at dawn services across the country to remember Anzac troops.
Darwin commemorates WWII bombing anniversary
Dignitaries and locals have gathered in Darwin to remember the day WWII air raids killed more than 250 people in the largest attack ever on Australian soil.
Tasmanian RSL clubs pull plug on pokies
RSL clubs in Tasmania will no longer have pokies machines from mid-2023 over concerns for vulnerable veterans and their families.
Veterans hubs make a home in the regions
Veterans say connection and comfort are key as the first federally-funded hub opens on the NSW south coast to support the 20,000-strong defence community.
Back to battle for ex soldier seeking help
A former soldier has told an inquiry her efforts to get support from veterans' affairs felt like she never left the battlefield.
Ecstasy for ex-soldier to help ease trauma
Ex-soldier James Geercke has described how military training left him with lasting physical and mental injuries, with little support from Veterans Affairs.
Injured veterans to get extra $1000 a year
Injured military veterans will soon receive an extra $1000 a year and hundreds of support staff will be hired to process their claims.
Veterans commission shifts focus to Darwin
Life at the Northern Territory's strategically significant military bases will be a new focus of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
Recruit standards linked to risks in ranks
Lowered entry standards for military recruits have been linked to increased rates of physical and mental health issues among defence personnel.
Urgent action for veterans focus of report
A Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide is due to deliver its much-anticipated interim report after months of confronting evidence.
Jacqui Lambie to speak at veterans inquiry
Long-term veterans advocate and senator, Jacqui Lambie, will on Friday give evidence at a royal commission examining suicide among ex-service personnel.
ADF ‘must target Indigenous mental health’
Mental health support for First Nations personnel can be improved through targeted mechanisms, the veterans royal commission has been told.
Inquiry told of need for ‘circuit breaker’
The former chair of a taskforce addressing abuse response within the ADF says a "circuit breaker" is needed to fix the closed nature of Defence.
ADF members betrayed by abuse: inquiry
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has been told ADF members felt betrayed by abuse within the ranks after enlisting.
Inquiry told of Lavarack behaviour issues
The veterans inquiry has been told behavioural issues still exist at Townsville's Lavarack barracks, despite improvements in how the ADF deals with complaints.
ADF considering ways to fill service gaps
The veteran suicide inquiry has been shown figures indicating there is a growing trend of more service people leaving the Australian Defence Force.
Veterans ‘failed’ by govt, commission told
Ex-veteran affairs minister Darren Chester has faced a royal commission and been questioned about outstanding reforms during his tenure.
‘Zero’ budget funds to fix compo delays
Former minister Andrew Gee says he was disappointed the Morrison government had failed to recognise veterans' welfare as a national priority.
Anger at targeting of unwell soldiers
An army commander says action should be taken against soldiers who target mentally or physically unwell colleagues, adding you "can't mitigate stupidity".
Family in spotlight after Qld man vanished
A re-opened inquest into the fate of a World War II veteran who vanished in 1993 will hear that police say his son-in-law may have been involved.
Coalition pledges support for veterans
A re-elected Morrison government would roll out more support centres for veterans and their families across the country.
LNP endorses ex-soldier for seat of Oxley
Former soldier Kyle McMillen has been selected as the Liberal National Party candidate for the seat of Oxley, a day after Chris Green resigned.
DVA failing veterans, secretary admits
The head of Veterans' Affairs has been frank about the department's failings, telling an inquiry it's not delivering for past and present defence members.
Paperwork delays hitting veterans’ cases
An inquiry into defence and veteran suicides has been told of the delays in claims for assistance from agencies including the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Chronic shortage of psychiatrists for vets
Poor pay and the challenging work mean many psychiatrists are reluctant to take on the demands of treating mentally ill veterans, an inquiry has been told.
Compo system ‘unintelligible’ to veterans
The royal commission has been told lawyers have to navigate a confusing maze of different legislation to make compensation claims for injured veterans.