Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh says ‘not all veterans are broken’ in push to drive more recruits

Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh has made an impassioned plea to “change the story” as Australia loses the Defence recruitment race.

Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh has paid tribute to our military veterans, while urging young people to join the armed forces, claiming they go on to “outperform” civilians in jobs after they’ve left service and are “far from broken”.

Addressing the Commonwealth War Graves Commission conference in London, Mr Keogh honoured the memory of the personnel of the Commonwealth who lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars saying they will be honoured on Remembrance Day on Saturday.

“It is a moment of solemn reflection as we remember those who lost their lives during the First World War, and all wars and conflicts that have followed,” he told the conference.

Minister for Defence Personnel, Matt Keogh has paid tribute to our military veterans during a speech in London. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“This year marks the 105th anniversary of the Armistice that brought an end to fighting on the Western Front.

“And even though more than a century has passed we still gather, we still pause, we still remember.

“The Anzac legend has helped shape our national identity,” he said.

“While the Anzac campaign ended in military defeat and retreat, the conduct of our Aussie Diggers during this campaign and those that followed it have come to represent the values that speak to our national character,” he said.

Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh paid tribute to veterans during a speech in London. Picture: Supplied

“It’s about honouring the sacrifice that more than 103,000 Australians have made in service of our country.”

He paid tribute to personnel in war, conflict and peacekeeping operations and their families.

But Australia is losing the Defence recruitment race, with the gap is widening each year.

The Australian Defence Force and defence industry are facing significant workforce challenges with the Federal Government’s Defence Strategic Review (DSR) recommending an increase in recruitment speed from application to enlistment and the process of recruitment.

The DSR also recommended changes to the Defence Force recruitment framework by 2025 for the ADF Reserves with the reintroduction of a ready reserve scheme.

Matt Keogh speaks with a veteran. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The previous government announced a target of growing Australia’s armed forces to 80,000 uniformed personnel by 2040 to operate newly-purchased military equipment.

“It is also no secret that Australia, like many comparable nations, is currently encountering recruitment challenges into our respective Defence forces,” Mr Keogh said.

“More obviously, we need to ensure we provide veterans with the support and services that they need and deserve.

“In Australia we have a Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide underway.

“However, a negative side effect of the increased attention on these matters has been the false impression that all veterans are broken.

“The truth is that the very opposite is the case.

Matt Keogh and wife Annabel. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“The vast majority of those who serve in Australia’s Defence Forces go on to have successful lives and careers when they transition to civilian life.

“Indeed, they outperform the general population: they are more likely to be employed, they earn more, they have a higher level of education, they are healthier and more likely to own their own home.

“The skills they gain through service, the attributes they possess – leadership, teamwork, agility, an ability to work under pressure – are the skills in demand in every organisation, by every employer,” he said.

“Joining the Australian Defence Force sets up young people for success, they rightfully should be acknowledged as some of the best in the business – no matter the business.

“So when the narrative tells us that veterans are broken, we need to change the story.

“Commemoration helps inspire, gives meaning and improves wellbeing.

Commemoration done well and appropriately, accurately reflects why it is so important to be a part of our Australian Defence Force now and into the future,” he said.