Defence Amendment (Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal) Bill 2025

Stage by Stage

Summaries in reported speech - not a transcript. In date order, both chambers.

1. Thursday 28 August 2025 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The Minister for Veterans' Affairs introduced legislation to amend the jurisdiction and operations of the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal. The bill restricts reviews to decisions made within 20 years of an operation ending, limits applicants to those with a direct interest, and imposes a six-month deadline for seeking reviews. These changes aim to ensure the tribunal focuses on contemporary matters with verifiable evidence while maintaining its independence. The debate concluded with the bill being commended to the House.

   Outcome: The debate was adjourned.

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2. Wednesday 3 September 2025 · House of Representatives

   Consideration in Detail

   The debate focused on opposition amendments to the Defence Amendment (Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal) Bill 2025, which sought to remove a proposed 20-year time limit on reviewing defence honours decisions. Opposition members argued the bill would prevent veterans from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam from having their awards reviewed, citing historical examples like Teddy Sheean and Richard Norden. They claimed the government had failed to consult veterans or explain the problem the legislation aimed to fix. The Minister for Veterans' Affairs moved to end the debate without addressing the amendments. The opposition amendments were defeated, and the bill passed.

   Outcome: The opposition amendments were defeated, and the bill passed.

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3. Wednesday 3 September 2025 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate centred on proposed reforms to the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal, specifically regarding time limits for reviews and eligibility criteria. Opposition and independent members argued the bill would unjustly block recognition for veterans of past conflicts and reduce independence, while the government minister contended the changes were necessary to address evidentiary difficulties and prevent self-serving applications. The government representative defended the changes as necessary to ensure the tribunal remained fit for purpose and focused on contemporary evidence. The bill passed the House of Representatives with a division result of 90 to 49.

   Outcome: The bill passed the House of Representatives with a division result of 90 to 49.

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4. Wednesday 3 September 2025 · House of Representatives

   Third Reading
   See who spoke

5. Thursday 4 September 2025 · Senate

   First Reading
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6. Thursday 4 September 2025 · Senate

   Second Reading

   Senator Tim Ayres introduced two bills to the Senate. The first bill amended the Defence Act 1903 to update the jurisdiction and operations of the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal, including introducing time limits for reviews and restricting who could apply. The second bill made a technical amendment to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to allow Boards of Management for Commonwealth reserves to keep deciding matters once a management plan has ended. The debate was adjourned without a vote, and the bills were listed as separate orders of the day.

   Outcome: The debate was adjourned and the bills were ordered to be listed on the Notice Paper as separate orders of the day.

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