A move by the Australian Government to cap the time allowed to review military honours and awards, has been slammed by Gunnedah’s veteran community.
The Defence Amendment (Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal) Bill 2025 has proposed a 20-year limit on reviewable actions for defence honours, operational service awards or foreign awards.
The Bill recently closed for public submissions but not before the Gunnedah RSL sub-Branch expressed its serious concern.
Sub-branch president Anthony Adams described its premise as “unjust, unnecessary, and inconsistent with Australia’s obligation to respect and honour the service of its veterans without time limit”.
Gunnedah’s submission said the Bill would bar recognition of service older than 20 years, even where compelling new evidence emerges.
It highlighted how acts of heroism often remain classified or hidden for decades, which would prove problematic for a 20-year clause.
“Recognition must not expire,” Gunnedah’s submission read.
It noted that the tribunal’s independence has already delivered historic outcomes, including the posthumous award of the Victoria Cross to Teddy Sheean (WWII); the Victoria Cross for Vietnam veteran Richard Norden, 58 years after his actions and recognition of Delta Company, 6RAR, for bravery at Long Tan.
“None of these cases would have been possible under a 20-year cap,” the submission stated.
Gunnedah RSL Sub-Branch president and Afghanistan veteran Anthony Adams.
The Gunnedah RSL sub-Branch said the government has provided no evidence that the current system is broken and the new proposal is inconsistent with national values.
“The Ode of Remembrance was never meant to come with a use-by date. By legislating a 20-year limit, the government undermines the very principle of perpetual remembrance,” it stated.
The submission said the Bill could have potentially devastating impact on the mental health and morale of the veteran community which already felt neglected and excluded.
“Removing avenues for recognition and appeal further damages morale and risks exacerbating issues of alienation highlighted in the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide,” the submission read.
Additionally, the submission said Australia’s international allies are moving in the opposite direction by removing time limits on honours such as the ‘Valor Has No Expiration’ Act in the United States.
Gunnedah RSL sub-Branch is calling for the full repeal of the Defence Amendment (Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal) Bill 2025; retention of the tribunal’s current powers to review honours and awards dating back to 1939; commitment to meaningful consultation with RSL NSW, RSL Australia, and the broader veteran community before any future reforms and alignment with Royal Commission recommendations, ensuring reforms strengthen, rather than diminish, recognition and respect for veterans.
“Recognition of military service must be timeless,” Gunnedah’s submission stated. “The courage and sacrifice of those who have served can never be diminished by the thresholds or classification of time. Veterans and their families deserve absolute confidence that their deeds will forever remain open to fair and independent recognition because gallantry and valour, has no expiry, and remembrance has no end.
“On behalf of our members and community, the Gunnedah RSL Sub-Branch urges the committee to recommend the rejection of this Bill in full.”
