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EC23-000907
Female Veterans’ Policy Forum – It is proposed to trial a new approach to participant recruitment
for the female veterans’ cohort in 2024. If successful, this could be repeated, and expanded to the
veteran family cohort, for future Fora.
Female veteran community members would register their interest in participating in the Forum via
an online form (already created), available to the public for a short period at the start of the 2024
calendar year. Registrations would be reviewed internally to establish a Forum invitation list, and a
reserve pool to fill spots available from withdrawals and/or future engagement opportunities.
The new registration process would be promoted on DVA Social Media, and through veteran
community networks.
This new process would help the Forum to be refreshed regularly, ensure a diverse and
representative participant group is maintained, and increase transparency around how DVA selects
Forum participants.
Dates and Locations:
Proposed dates for the
Veteran Families’ Policy Forum are 13-14 February 2024.
o To respond to participant feedback and to demonstrate a commitment to community
outreach, it is recommended that this event is held in Brisbane, Queensland.
o The proposed dates do not clash with public holidays, school holidays or national
commemorative events.
Proposed dates for the
Female Veterans’ Policy Forum are being considered for May 2024.
o The success of hosting the Veteran Families’ Policy Forum in Brisbane will be assessed, and
a decision made regarding location for the Female Veterans’ Policy Forum made in late-
February 2024. Canberra remains a cost effective option.
Financial Implications
No – These events would still be covered using the existing program allocation.
Background
Established in 2016, the Forum provides a platform for female veterans and female veteran family
members to raise issues directly with DVA, generate ideas to solve issues facing their communities
and co-design DVA products and services to inform future policy and service delivery options, and
build networks across represented cohorts.
Unlike other DVA consultative fora, there is no appointed membership of the Forum. Participants
have been identified through a variety of means over successive years. The group has always had
some new participants every year
Sensitivities
Yes. The format and attendees for the Forum have attracted some interest in the past. Changes to
recruitment arrangements may attract some community commentary.
The proposed recruitment approach has been discussed with Forum representatives, and the
response was generally positive.
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Stakeholders
Yes. Changes may impact the current cohort of Forum participants, those who have attended in the
past and those with aspirations to attend.
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs has also attended the Forum every year since its inception and
may have interest in changes.
Summary of attachments
Nil
Clearance
Clearance
officer
comments:
Cleared by:
a/Assistant Secretary, Heather MacDonald
(s 47F
| s 47F
Select date.
Contact:
Director, Nicholas s 47F
s 47F
| s 47F
Division:
Ministerial, Engagement & Communications
Consultation: Nil
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