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Darren Chester supports Tribunal decision to defend veterans' right, opposing Albanese government plan limiting Acts of Gallantry reviewThe Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal will defend veterans' rights at a Senate inquiry, opposing the Albanese government's plan to impose a 20-year limit on reviewing acts of gallantry. By news@gippsland - 14th October 2025 - Back to News The independent tribunal responsible for recommending bravery awards for some of the most heroic Australians will give evidence at a Senate inquiry on Thursday, to defend the rights of defence force personnel and veterans. The Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal (DHAAT) has made a formal submission into a Senate inquiry condemning the Albanese government's plan to limit the time period for reviewing acts of gallantry. 
Darren Chester said the Albanese government's 20-year review limit disrespects veterans, undermines the Tribunal's independence, and imposes a "use-by date" on Australia's promise to remember its heroes Heroism beyond timeThe Tribunal's written submission demonstrated that it would've been impossible for the Victoria Cross to be awarded to war heroes like Ordinary Seaman Teddy Sheean and Private Richard Norden under the bizarre approach proposed by the Albanese government. Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs Darren Chester said the Coalition supported the independent Tribunal's decision and the government should abandon the Bill. "The Albanese government is effectively putting a use-by date on heroism by imposing a 20-year time limit on reviewable actions without any consultation," Mr Chester said. Honouring service foreverMr Chester said, "The government hasn't found anyone who supports the Bill as ex-service organisations have openly criticised the move, which would stop the Tribunal from reviewing events which occurred in World War 2, the Korean War and the Vietnam War." "The Coalition believes the solemn pledge in the Ode of Remembrance of 'we will remember them' was never intended to come with a use-by date, and ex-service organisations agree with our position. Despite the lack of consultation with ADF personnel and veterans, the Albanese government is undermining the independence of the Tribunal, which was set up to review decisions made by Defence," he said. Defending veterans' rightsIn its submission, DHAAT warned the Albanese government that it was removing existing rights from ADF personnel and veterans. "In the view of the Tribunal, the Bill in its present form would work to the very significant disadvantage of ADF members and veterans, their families and other supporters by abolishing existing rights of independent merits review in the Tribunal and would thereby detract from the integrity of the defence honours and awards system," the submission said. "The measures contained in the Bill go far beyond technical changes of a tidying-up nature or the addition of machinery provisions to allow the more efficient conduct of business of the Tribunal." "Instead, they would effectively deprive ADF members and veterans and their families of their current, and very important rights to hold Defence to account, and would preclude the nation's recognition of some of its greatest heroes," he said. Mr Chester has urged the Senate crossbench to reject the Bill and allow the Tribunal to continue its important work. Pictures from Darren Chester Facebook page.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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