Dear Department of Veterans' Affairs,

Background:- Sworn evidence given by senior DVA staff before Commissioners Kaldas and Douglas regarding the composition of ESORT.
15 April 2022
More interesting evidence from Kate Pope (DVA) recently regarding the composition of the ESORT.

"CHAIR: Just a couple of brief points.
Ms Pope, you just discussed with Commissioner Douglas the issue of the ESOs, but I gather for your ESO Round Table, you have a smaller number than the 3,500 to 5,000 that we are hearing about. How are they selected?
KATE POPE: That is a good question. The ESO Round Table was established long before I joined the department six years ago, so -- but they are the organisations you would expect to see. So the RSL, the War Widows Guild, the Legacy. I could list them on the -- Vietnam Veterans' Associations, and so on and so forth, but I can't really say how they came to be the core of that group, but they are the established and recognised organisations.
We also have other forums, including the Younger Veterans Forum, that has representation from some of the newer organisations that are more focused on younger veterans, and we also have one focused on older veterans and issues of ageing, and so on. So there are some more sort of special interest focused forums under the banner of a National Consultative Forum that we operate, but the ESORT is the principal one with the established ex-service organisations.
CHAIR: I appreciate that, and I am not being critical in any way, but is it sort of a position for life? It is not assessed on a five-yearly basis, or something?
KATE POPE: Not that I am aware of, no.
CHAIR: So once you're in, you're in.
KATE POPE: You kind of in, yes.".

COMMISSIONER DOUGLAS: And then about ESORT, you mentioned it. And what we've heard before ESORT's composition seems to be fixed by DVA and to remain fixed. Is there any view that you have about whether ESORT should be -- have some more flexible and representative body?
A. Yes, I think so, that is one of the things that I think they should be looking at in terms of potentially opening it up.

It appears that the RC thinks that the ESORT membership is definitely in need of a refresher, at least every 5 years.

On 12 Apr 23, I received, inter alia, the following response from DVA:- The Parliamentary & Governance Branch has reviewed your request. They
would like to provide a response to you as per the following:

DVA has not implemented any changes to ESORT or its composition since Ms
Pope’s appearance before the Royal Commission on 15 April 2022.

....and

The ESORT Chair has confirmed that a review of the NCF will be conducted
later in 2023 after consultation on the Legislative Reform Pathway has
been completed. If you wish to be notified when that happens the team is
happy to take on your details and advise you when the review is finished.

As per the above information, it is more beneficial for you to lodge a
fresh FOI request after the NCF review later this year, as there will be
more information and guidelines about potential changes on ESORT.

Accordingly:-
I seek copies of all documents (including drafts) relating to changes by DVA to ESORT and its composition in line with the comments of DVA staff reproduced herewith, including all documents relating to the review of the National Consultative Framework since 15 April 2022 as advised in a previous FOI request and mentioned in sworn evidence given by Secretary, Alison Frame before the Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans Suicide very recently.

I do not seek details of any private individuals. Details of any Commonwealth employees including but not limited to their work email address, work telephone numbers and full names are to be treated as in scope and are not to be redacted. Follow the OAIC guidelines and policies please.

Yours faithfully,

Arthur Jordan

Dear INFORMATION.ACCESS,

Your response to my FOI request has been delayed.

By law, DVA should normally have responded promptly and by April 17, 2024.
Accordingly, as my FOI request is now "deemed refused" the matter has been referred to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner for investigation.

Yours sincerely,

Arthur Jordan