ESO Round Table (ESORT)

Last updated:

14 December 2020

Overview

This forum intends to enhance the capacity of the Repatriation Commission and Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission. This forum aims to address issues of strategic importance to the ex-service and defence communities and assist in setting directions for the medium to long term. Specific responsibilities include:

acting as the main forum for dialogue between the Military Rehabilitation Compensation Commission (MRCC), Repatriation Commission, Department of Veterans' Affairs and the leadership of the ESO and Defence communities
providing advice on how government can better facilitate a common approach to veteran and ex-service issues against the current background of ageing members, declining membership and multiple ex-service organisations not necessarily united in their common concerns
guiding strategic directions for the portfolio
serving as the main body for consultation under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 on the development of legislative instruments impacting members of the ex service and Defence communities under the:
- Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986
- Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004
- Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence Related Claims) Act 1988
- Defence Service Homes Act 1918
- War Graves Act 1980

Terms of Reference (DOC 47 KB)

Membership

Membership comprises representatives from the following organisations
Organisation	Representative
Repatriation Commission and Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission	Ms Liz Cosson AM CSC Chair
Repatriation Commission and Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission	Ms Kate Pope PSM Member
Repatriation Commission and Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission	Mr Don Spinks AM Member
Repatriation Commission and Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission	Ms Gwen Cherne Member
Repatriation Commission and Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission	Mr Stuart Smith AO DSC Member
Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission	Ms Sue Weston PSM Member
Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission	Rear Admiral Sarah Sharkey CSC Member
Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission	Major General Natasha Fox AM CSC Member
Air Force Association	Group Captain Carl Schiller OAM CSM (Retd) National President
Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Veterans’ Association	Mr Robert Woods President
Australian Special Air Service Association	Mr Peter Fitzpatrick AO AM National Chairman
Defence Families Australia	Ms Maree Sirois National Convenor
Defence Force Welfare Association	Mr Kel Ryan National President
Defence Reserves Association	Major General Paul Irving AM PSM RFD National President
Legacy Australia Inc.	Mr Richard Cranna National Chairman
Naval Association of Australia	Mr David Manolas National President
Partners of Veterans Association of Australia Inc.	Ms Heather Evans National President
Royal Australian Regiment Corporation	Mr Michael von Berg MC OAM Chairman
Returned and Services League of Australia	Major General Greg Melick AO RFD National President
TPI Federation Australia	Ms Pat McCabe OAM National President
Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia	Mr Max Ball National President
Vietnam Veterans' Federation of Australia	Mr William Roberts OAM National President
Australian War Widows Inc.	Ms Rhondda Vanzella OAM National and State President, NSW

The leaders of the ESOs listed above are the appointed members of the Round Table.

The Chair of the ESO Round Table is the Chair of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission.

Meeting schedule

The ESO Round Table meets face-to-face two or three times per year and if required, holds more meetings via video or telephone conference.

Meeting minutes

Meeting minutes of each ESORT meeting are available via the following links:

ESORT Hearing Services Working Group

March–November 2016 summary overview

Contact

To contact the ESO Round Table Secretariat, please email ESORT.Secretariat [at] dva.gov.au