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The
fourteen members of the newly established Prime Ministerial
Advisory Council on Ex-Service Matters have met for the first
time. During the meeting, conducted on October 9 and 10 in Canberra,
the Council have confirmed its terms of reference, investigated
some of the current consultative arrangements for the veterans
community and began considering some of the major issues facing
the portfolio.
The
Council also met with the Prime Minister, who said that the
establishment
of the advisory body was an important achievement for theGovernment
and that he looked forward to receiving its advice. The
Chair of the Council, Dr Allan Hawke, said he was pleased by
the progress
of the first meeting.
"We have decided
how the Council will work and report to the Government. We
have also begun to discuss key topics such as mental health
in the veteran
community and how we plan to address other priority areas,"
he said. "It
was encouraging to have the Prime Minister join our first meeting
and hear his
views on the importance of the Council," said Dr Hawke.
The Minister for
Veterans' Affairs, Alan Griffin, also attended the Council
meeting. Dr Hawke said the Council would work closely
with the Minister
in providing advice to the Government. Mr
Griffin said he expected the Council to provide advice and recommendations
and identify priority issues facing the ex-service and defence
communities.
"I am pleased that
the Council has now been established, as we promised prior to
the election. Based on the outcomes of the first
meeting, I believe the Council is well placed to fulfil its
role of providing a collective voice for the veteran community,"
he said.
Prior to the next
formal meeting of the Council in March 2009, it will have
informal, out of session meetings.
The Council's Terms
of Reference and names of the Council Members are as follows:
Members of
Prime Ministerial Advisory Council on Ex-Service Matters
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