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The 8th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment Association Incorporated.

INCORPORATED IN QUEENSLAND.

ABN 157 362 866

PO Box 213 Scarborough

Qld 4020

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ESORT On Budget 26/27

The Ex-Service Organisations Round Table (ESORT) met on Wednesday, 13 May 2026 to receive a briefing on the 2026-27 Federal Budget from the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, the Hon Matt Keogh MP.

The Budget, handed down by the Treasurer Tuesday 12 May 2026, provided significant additional funding over the forward estimates to continue support for veterans and families of veterans. This funding supports DVA and Defence to implement critical recommendations from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, while also further improving services for the veteran community.

Continuing to support veterans and families of veterans

The Government has committed $169.7 million over five years (and $58.8 million per year ongoing) to increase allied health provider fees for Veteran Card holders from 1 July 2027.  This is the largest investment in allied health fees in more than 20 years and will improve choice and availability of services for veterans and families of veterans.

 

This investment is enabled by the introduction of a $5,000 Annual Monetary Limit for veterans’ allied health services from 1 July 2027.  The annual limit can be used by Veteran Card holders each financial year across a range of allied health services, based on their individual treatment needs and preferences.

 

Veterans will continue to access treatment they need, with a mechanism for seeking funding above the annual limit, where clinically required.  Introducing the annual limit supports the Government to sustainably deliver the significant increase in allied health provider feeds, while ensuring veterans are not taken advantage of in cases where some providers are looking to increase profits through over-servicing.

 

In addition, the Government has provided $3.4 million over two years from 2026-27 to extend the Provisional Access to Medical Treatment Program to 31 December 2027, and $0.5 million in 2026-27 to extend the Veteran Employment Program for a further six months to 31 December 2026.

 

Establishing the National Veterans’ Data Asset

The Budget includes $29.8 million over three years to establish a National Veterans’ Data Asset (NVDA), delivered as a joint effort with partner agencies. DVA’s funding allocation is $12.9 million over three years from 2026–27. 

 

Implemented in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988, the National Veterans’ Data Asset responds directly to the Royal Commission’s Recommendation 107 to better integrate data across government, to support improved decision‑making on veteran health, wellbeing and suicidality. Once established, this will be the most comprehensive data source available to inform policy, service delivery and program evaluation and improve health and wellbeing outcomes for veterans and their families. 

 

 

ESORT Members in attendance:

Chair, Secretary, Department of Veterans’ Affairs

Deputy President, Repatriation Commission and MRCC Member

Repatriation Commissioner and MRCC Member

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans Association

Australian War Widows Inc

Defence Force Welfare Association

Defence Reserves Association

The Partners of Veterans Association of Australia Inc

MRCC Member, Department of Defence (Proxy)

MRCC Member, Department of Defence (Proxy)

Returned and Services League of Australia (Proxy)

Royal Australian Regiment Corporation

Soldier On

TPI Federation Australia

Veteran Family Advocate Commissioner, MRCC Member

Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia

Vietnam Veterans’ Federation of Australia

Apologies:

Air Force Association 

Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Veterans’ Association

Australian Special Air Service Association

Defence Families Australia

MRCC Member, Department of Defence

MRCC Member, Department of Defence

Naval Association of Australia

Returned and Services League of Australia

The Partners of Veterans Association of Australia Inc

Legacy Australia Inc

Women Veterans Australia Ltd

 

The Following Email And Telephone Numbers Are For Member Convenience For 8RAR Business Only. Email Must Not Be Copied With The Intent To Bulk Mail-Outs

President: Chad Sherrin MM.

chadawn@bigpond.com

Ted Forward 1 Gluyas Avenue Grange SA 5022
Mobile: 0421349990

8rarsa@gmail.com

Secretary: SECRETARY Paul Gallagher:

natsec8rar@gmail.com

Treasurer: Association Records and Membership: Len Thompson

Postal: Via PO Box 4989, Forest Lake. QLD 4078.

lenthompson3@bigpond.com

Newsletter Editor:Kevin Sullivan, OAM: 14 Howard Ave. Green Point N.S.W. 2251 Mobile: 0416262924

kevinsully@bigpond.com

Memorabilia: Kym McDougall

Memorabilia 8 RAR Association Inc PO Box 4989 Forest Lake Qld 4078

 memorabilia8rar@icloud.com

Web Master 8rarassociation.org Jim Stopford

jbstopford@bigpond.com

State Representatives

Queensland Representative: Chad Sherrin MM

chadawn@bigpond.com

N.S.W. Representative: Kevin Sullivan OAM

kevinsully1948@gmail.com 

A.C.T. Representative: Tony Sillcock

tonysillcock@optusnet.com.au

South Australia/ NT Representative:  Simon Kleinig

simon.kleinig@gmail.com

NSW REP: Kevin Sullivan details above.

Western Australia Rep: Doug Wendt 17 Selby St. Thornlie W.A. 6108

wendt3@bigpond.com

chadawn@bigpond.com

Qld: Chad Sherrin MM

ACT: Tony Sillcock

tonysillcock@optusnet.com.au

Vic/ Tas: Dennis Moss

dennismoss@bigpond.com

Vic Secretary: Neil Smith 50 Woodside Avenue, Frankston South Vic 3199.

milhis@alphalink.com.

Sec.WA: Dennis (Linus) Lines

dennis_lines@bigpond.com