Category: advocacy
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Get to know the Defence family ‘Core Four’
With more than 10,000 different service providers, companies and community groups across Australia supporting the Defence and veteran community, it is not surprising to hear people feel lost navigating the Defence family support system. Regardless of where you are in your Defence family journey – whether you have just enlisted or completed training, are moving…
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Defence need to take a people-centric approach
As the Department of Defence undergo significant reform and restructure, there are understandably aspects of ‘old ways of working’ that come up as not having been administered well. In light of recent news about some marine specialists having to repay any money paid to them incorrectly, DFA are advocating for Defence to take a people-centric…
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Lessons learned as the inaugural Defence Family Advocate
An opinion piece by Sandi Laaksonen-Sherrin, Defence Family Advocate of Australia It has been a great honour and responsibility to be the first Defence Family Advocate of Australia, and the to lead the Defence Families of Australia (DFA) team since 2021. In August 2023, I will be stepping out of this role to welcome my…
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Submission on the Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal Inquiry
Document: DFA submission on the Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal Inquiry To the Minister for Defence Personnel and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, the Hon Matt Keogh MP, Defence Families of Australia (DFA) write in support that the recommendations made by the Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal Inquiry into recognition for members and families of Australian…
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Submission on the Independent Review of Commonwealth Disaster Funding
Defence Families of Australia (DFA) write in response to the request for submissions for an Independent Review of Commonwealth Disaster Funding.
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Focus on Defence family advocacy this National Families Week
The national advisory body for families of current serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members has released the latest version of its Advocacy Map highlighting completed and ongoing work in conjunction with National Families Week (15-21 May 2023).
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Report highlights opportunities for Defence family career comeback programs
The official advisory body for families of current serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members is calling for an educational program for Defence families to return to the workforce to be expanded nationally. Defence Families of Australia (DFA) is advocating for tertiary institutions, governments and private enterprises to replicate the successful pilot Defence Family Career Comeback…
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The Dual Deficit for Defence Family Engagement
This thought paper has been developed by the Defence Families of Australia (DFA) team as a culmination of engagement with over 10,000 families and stakeholders each year. Family feedback on their experiences, perspectives and feelings towards service providers is critical to shaping services that work for the Defence community. The paper also draws on a…