The (quiet) formation of an ESO Peak Body.
The (quiet) formation of an ESO Peak Body.
On the 10th of October, RSL Australia hosted the third National Ex-Service Organisation (ESO) Forum. Since November 2022, RSL Australia has facilitated two other National ESO forums, bringing together more than 80 ESO representatives from across Australia. For the third forum, the issues considered were an ESO classification system and the establishment of an ESO Peak Body.
What is the ESO Peak Body?
In the first forum, these ESOs identified, “the establishment of a peak body for the ESO sector to represent and advocate the needs of ESOs, to strengthen their collective voice and the benefits they deliver for Australian veterans and their families as the priority need”
At the second forum, they agreed that the must have functions would include:
- Policy advocacy (collective voice to lobby for the interest of veterans and their families),
- ESO Code of Conduct and setting service standards, and,
- Communication, engagement, and representation on behalf of veterans and their families”
They further agreed that the principles of an ESO peak body must be:
- Independence – from government, from individual ESOs and from service provision to current serving members, veterans and their families
- Separate from regulation – does not undertake any regulatory functions, but will support service standards and processes for reviewing and checking alignment to those standards
At this third forum, the intent is to discuss and consider the operational capability, governance framework, and membership structure. In essence, how much it’ll cost and how much they (the attendees) are willing to back it.
What should a peak body be looking to achieve?
There has been very little communication with the general veteran community about these forums and about what a peak body is.
In my view a peak body that represents Ex-Service Organisations (ESOs) in Australia should serve several important purposes and provide numerous functions for both veterans and the broader community.
It should play a vital role in advocating for veterans, coordinating efforts, influencing policy, and ensuring that veterans and their families receive the support and services they need. It would help create a unified voice for the veteran community and ensure that that community knows there is direction.
Opposition to RSL’s self-appointed leadership of ESO’s.
Ian Lindgren, a seasoned and respected figure in the veteran community and chairman of the Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Veterans Association, has publicly expressed his objections to the RSL ESO Forum concept despite previously participating in these forums. His insights provide a detailed critique from an experienced and informed perspective. Lindgren’s criticisms centre primarily on a perceived lack of strategic focus, expertise, and comprehensive governance in the current discussions and plans related to the ESO Peak Body under RSL’s facilitation.
In a scathing commentary, Lindgren points to a dire need for strategic, rather than operational, discourse regarding the Peak Body’s conceptualisation and establishment. The need to get out of the weeds and aim higher.
Lindgren advocates for experts to guide the forums, and raises concerns about governance in ESO, particularly in terms of advocacy.
He also questions the employment status of ESO volunteers and the integrations of institutional and operational frameworks. These criticisms remain unaddressed, revealing potential issues in the formation of an ESO Peak Body. Lindgrens objections reflect a misalignment within the veteran community and grown by limited awareness of these discussions.
Veteran Advocacy in the 21st Century: A New Deal or Back to the Future.
It is vital to acknowledge a complex reality. The peak body that they’re proposing and whose functions I have laid out used to exist. That peak body was RSL Australia, but it is now a shadow of its former self.
There was a time when the RSL was synonymous with veteran advocacy. When government asked the RSL before it scratched it sneezed; when Prime Ministers came to speak to the RSL, not the other way around; and when veterans across Australia knew that they could open a newspaper or turn on a radio and know the RSL would be there, fighting to ensure they were represented and looked after.
The Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies comes to speak to the Sir George Holland, RSL National President. Note who is standing and who is sitting.
I’ve written about the decline of the RSL for AVN before in Apathy and Absence, however, in calling for the formation of an ESO Peak Body, can the RSL now be perceived as not just absenting itself from the discussion but actively lobbying itself out of existence? If a new ESO peak body is founded, then what reason does the RSL have to exist?
The League was founded to advocate and represent the returned community in 1916, and for the greater part of the 20th century, was the preeminent ex-service entity in Australia.
It was the powerhouse that won a raft of entitlements in 1919 that were the envy of the world and defended them all through the depression and post-Second World War. It is a sobering fact that in 2023 it is arguably faltering in leadership; out of touch; devoid of its prior authority; and now seeks to delegate its advocacy duties elsewhere. Its retreat from its duties have meant that a generation of veterans in the 21st century have been left to fend for themselves; creating new ESOs and having to look elsewhere for advocacy.
Despite that though, why do I believe the ESO peak body should still be RSL Australia? Because despite some poor leadership, the RSLs infrastructure already exists. The ANZAC Houses in each state and in Canberra are already there; the facilities already available; the staff and CEOs are in place; the governance framework exist, and there is an ability for veterans to join and hold it accountable. Importantly, despite its recent decline the RSL is still a known and generally respected body in Australia. It has a powerful reputation, and one that any new Peak Body would have to build from scratch, along with infrastructure, staff, and governance.
Questions over veteran advocacy
Now is the time for veterans to join the discussion and make their voices heard. Whether it be through the RSL or other ESOs, we need to debate the establishment of a new ESO peak body as the discussion is crucial to the future of veteran advocacy. It is imperative that we reflect on the purpose and potential positive and negative impacts of such a body.
The proposed ESO Peak Body aims to address the evolving landscape of veteran support and advocacy, as well as the trust deficit from veterans in DVA and legacy ESOs. It seeks to unify the voices of ESOs, advocate for veterans' needs, and provide coordinated, effective representation. If it can address the functions outlines in the beginning of this article, from policy advocacy to crisis response, it has huge potential to significantly improve the lives of veterans and their families.
I contend however that instead of creating a new entity, the RSL should uphold its historical role as the primary advocate for veterans, capitalising on its existing infrastructure, reputation, and governance mechanisms. It is worth noting that despite inertia at National level, we've witnessed a significant generational shift in the leadership of RSL Tasmania, RSL South Australia/Northern Territory, and most recently RSL NSW. Two of those three State Presidents are aged in their 30’s. This change could precipitate a return to dynamic and inspirational leadership of the RSL across the nation. This is in the hands of Australian veterans. Can we complain about poor outcomes when we stand on the sidelines? Or is it better to pick a team, pull on a guernsey and get involved?
If not the RSL, then who will ensure that the harmonisation of veteran entitlement acts is optimised? Who will hold the government accountable and fight for improved education, better mental health support, enhanced housing, and superior living conditions for those who once served Australia? There is no doubt that teachers' unions, nurses' unions, police unions/associations, and sports players' associations will advocate for their members. Why shouldn’t veterans expect and receive the same?
The pivotal question is whether RSL Australia desires or is capable of reclaiming its historical position as a robust and effective advocate for veterans. Despite its rich legacy and history, the current National leadership's ability to fulfil this role is doubtful. Importantly, it appears to lack the trust and support of the veteran community to assume this role. If it is incapable of leadership, then veterans must identify and vote for new leaders.
Who’s going to carry to can?
Veterans in Australia require dedicated and resolute leadership to safeguard their entitlements and well-being. The RSL, with its historical significance and established infrastructure, could play a formidable role in this regard. The ultimate decision rests not just with the RSL's leadership and its capacity to regain the trust and confidence of the veteran community, but the veteran community itself. Without inputting their opinions, veterans will find themselves saddled with something not of their choosing and potentially not accountable to them.
If a new Peak Body is formed from scratch, it will exist without a historical foundation, without authority, and without a mandate from those it represents. This will pose a significant challenge to it bringing about meaningful change. It would need to rapidly build its credentials, gain the trust and respect of the community, and effectively represent veterans' interests to the government by holding them accountable for providing the support and services veterans rightfully deserve.
The outcome of the third National ESO Forum and subsequent developments will undeniably shape the future of veterans' advocacy in Australia. Will it unleash a veteran champion but in doing so be the final nail in the RSL coffin?
Veterans need to be the ones who decide.
