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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

 

Membership Application/Renewal

Service Details:

I HEREBY APPLY TO JOIN / RENEW MEMBERSHIP OF THE 8RAR ASSOCIATION INC. AND AUTHORISE THE ASSOCIATION TO PRINT MY NAME IN ITS CORRESPONDENCE, NEWSLETTERS OR ANY PUBLICATION THAT THE ASSOCIATION MAY WISH TO PUBLISH FROM TIME TO TIME, PROVIDING THAT THE INFORMATION OR USE OF MY NAME IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH OR CONNE CTED TO ANY DEFAMATORY PUBLICATION.

Signature

Proxy Voting

AGM8th BATTALION THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN REGIMENT ASSOCIATION INC.

(“The Association”) PROXY VOTING FORM

Being a Financial member of “The Association” hereby appoint the following person, a financial member of “The Association”,

as my proxy to vote on my behalf or as directed hereunder, at the Annual General Meeting to be held on Sunday 24 March 2024
and at any adjournment of that meeting.

I direct my PROXY to vote as follows:- *in favour of

*against [strike out whichever is not wanted] the following resolutions— [List relevant resolutions]

8th BATTALION THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN REGIMENT
ASSOCIATION INC.

NOMINATION PAPER

To: The Secretary, 8TH Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment Association Inc: We, the undersigned, being financial members of the 8th
Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment Association Inc. and entitled to vote at the Annual Elections, do hereby nominate:


a financial member of the 8th Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment Association Inc. as a candidate to



AND

I, the above named, consent to the above nomination and intend to act in the nominated position if elected. I am not, and have not been, named
on the ACNC Register of Disqualified Persons within the previous 12 months.