The Prime Minister is facing calls to apologise after Labor dumped plans to limit the retrospective awarding of defence honours amid accusations the government failed to properly consult veterans on the changes.
The Defence Amendment (Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal) Bill 2025 was withdrawn from the Senate notice paper on Monday morning.
Once a Bill has been withdrawn, it can no longer be debated or voted on, effectively sending the government back to square one of the legislative process.
Labor had proposed limiting the scope of review for acts of bravery to the 20 years following an operation, a move lashed by veterans as imposing a ‘use-by-date’ on Remembrance.
Current rules enable the DHAAT to reconsider actions dating back to World War Two.
There is no limit on who can apply for a review.
As reported by Sky News, advocates accused the government of seeking to cut down on paper work and of failing to adequately consult veterans on the changes.
Shadow Veterans’ Affairs Minister Darren Chester is calling on the Albanese government to apologise to the Defence community for failing to consult on the changes.
“This is a good result, but it’s come way too late,” Mr Chester told Sky News.
“The Prime Minister and Veterans’ Affairs Minister should apologise for the stress and anxiety they’ve put our veterans and defence personnel community through in recent months”.
A Parliamentary inquiry examining the laws delivered its final report on Friday. It recommended the Department of Defence, which was the only body to endorse the reforms, undertake further consultation to hear concerns from veterans.
Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh argues there is still a need to modernise the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal.
“The Bill was crafted to respond to concerns raised by the Tribunal itself in its decisions and annual reports on the risks associated with decisions being made when it is difficult, if not impossible to refer to objective and independent evidence,” Minister Keogh said in a statement.
“The Government acknowledges the work of the Senate Committee in conducting its inquiry into the Bill and will work with all parties and the veteran community on ensuring the Tribunal and its functions remain fit for purpose,” he said.
“I look forward to engaging with all stakeholders on progressing constructive consultation on these matters, while continuing to progress the implementation of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s recommendations at pace so that our Defence, veteran and family community receive the supports they need and deserve”.
The government narrowly avoided an attempt by Coalition and Crossbench senators earlier this month to forcibly remove the Bill, which if successful would have inflict a rare defeat for Labor on the floor of Parliament.
Plans were in train to attempt another vote this week, but Labor’s withdrawal of the Bill means it will not be required.
Independent Senator David Pocock argues the Bill should be abandoned for good, describing it as an “insult to veterans and their families”.
“The Senate should not be dealing with a Bill that has no consultation and no support,” he said.
“I think (pulling the Bill) is a sensible thing to do”.
A leading criticism was that the laws would have prevented Ordinary Seaman Teddy Sheean and Private Richard Norden, the two most recent posthumous recipients of the Victoria Cross, from receiving the honour, as their gallantry occurred well before the 20 year cut-off.
Nationals Senate Leader Bridget McKenzie said the Bill is “completely unwanted, unsupported and indefensible”.
No timeline for consultation on other changes has been set.
It is not clear when, or if, a new Bill to reform the DHAAT would be introduced in the future.
Source: skynews.com.au Cameron Reddin Political Reporter November 24, 2025
Comments
- Surely, this Defence Amendment (Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal) Bill 2025 is not in keeping with DVA’s motto “For what you have done, this we will do”
- The Bill reinforces the urgent need for development of our own, independent of government Veterans Advocacy Peak Body as exists in all other Australian sectors.
