Latest News
RSL Tasmania Secures $2.25 Million for Veteran Advocacy
21 August 2026
RSL Tasmania is proud to announce that we have secured $2.25 million in Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) funding over three years, providing $750,000 per year through to 2028–29.
This is a significant investment in Tasmania’s veteran community and provides important certainty for the continued delivery of free compensation and wellbeing advocacy services to veterans and their families across the state.
RSL Tasmania to commemorate 25 years of Australian service in Afghanistan
28 July 2026
RSL Tasmania invites veterans, serving Australian Defence Force personnel, families and members of the community to attend commemorative services in Hobart and Launceston on Sunday 11 October to mark the 25th anniversary of Australian service in Afghanistan (2001–2021).
The services will commence at 11am at the Hobart Cenotaph and Launceston Cenotaph, taking place simultaneously with the National Commemorative Service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
Burnie community urged to step up and secure future of local RSL
2 July 2026
RSL Tasmania State President Mike Gallagher is calling on the Burnie community to help secure the future of the Burnie RSL Sub Branch by attending its Annual General Meeting this Sunday 5 July.
Without enough members willing to fill Committee roles, the future of the Sub Branch is at risk.
What Tasmanian veterans need is practical support and smarter investment
27 May 2026
In response to the State Budget 2026-27, RSL Tasmania CEO John Hardy writes in The Mercury that Tasmania does not need more symbolism or unnecessary bureaucracy.
What veterans need is practical support, strong partnerships and smart investment focused on real outcomes in communities across the state.
Launceston VeteranHub opening marks major milestone for veteran services in Tasmania
21 May 2026
The Hon Matt Keogh MP, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, officially opened VeteranHub in Launceston today, marking an important milestone in strengthening support for Tasmania’s veteran community and their families.
Delivered by RSL Tasmania, VeteranHub is a free service designed to help veterans and their families more easily navigate the support available to them.
Dowsing Point announcement leaves veteran community feeling misled
18 May 2026
RSL Tasmania State President Mike Gallagher today expressed his disappointment and disbelief following Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s announcement yesterday regarding the redevelopment and transformation of 31 hectares of Defence land at Dowsing Point in Glenorchy.
The promise made by the Deputy Prime Minister, along with the Defence Estate consultation team that met with communities in Devonport, Launceston and Hobart earlier this year, was that full consultation over a two-year period would occur before any final decisions were made.
RSL Tasmania statement regarding Derwent Barracks
17 May 2026
In a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Honourable Richard Marles, only three weeks ago, RSL Tasmania was assured that any divestment of Defence estate assets would occur through a considered two-year process, with genuine opportunity for ongoing consultation and engagement.
Today, however, the Premier and the Prime Minister met at Dowsing Point to announce the divestment of the site.
This announcement has been made without any clear roadmap outlining how the critical Defence capability housed within Derwent Barracks will be retained, replaced, or transitioned without operational degradation.
Future of Queenstown RSL Sub Branch to be decided this Sunday
14 May 2026
RSL Tasmania State President Mike Gallagher is calling on current and former members of the Queenstown RSL Sub Branch, along with the wider West Coast community, to come together this Sunday 17 May to help secure the future of their local RSL.
As an incorporated body, the Sub Branch must have an elected committee, placing its future in the hands of its members.
RSL Tasmania welcomes Defence engagement on estate review
23 April 2026
RSL Tasmania today met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Honourable Richard Marles, to discuss possible changes to Australia’s Defence estate and their potential impact on Tasmania.
State President Mike Gallagher said the meeting was constructive and provided an important opportunity to represent the interests of our members.
Defence estate changes risk loss of critical capability in Tasmania
2 April 2026
RSL Tasmania has issued a warning that proposed changes to Australia’s Defence estate will result in the loss of critical capability in Tasmania if they proceed without meaningful adjustment.
Members of the veteran community and the broader public are urged to participate in upcoming consultation sessions.
Open letter to the Minister – Defence estate divestment in Tasmania
12 February 2026
RSL Tasmania CEO John Hardy has issued an open letter raising serious concerns about the proposed divestment of Defence estate assets in Tasmania and its impact on Army Reserve capability, cadets and regional communities
We are calling for full transparency, comprehensive cost-benefit modelling and an independent review before any final decisions are made.
One year on from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide
9 September 2025
RSL Tasmania today highlights the actions it has taken to support Tasmanian Veterans and their families in the twelve months since the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide was delivered.
National Homelessness Week: Veteran homelessness support now with RSL Tasmania and VeteranHub
6 August 2025
With Veterans three times more likely to experience homelessness than the general population, RSL Tasmania is acutely aware and actively supporting those in our community who have given so much.
Here’s what RSL Tasmania is doing through VeteranHub to support Tasmanian Veterans and their families.
National Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025 -2035
21 February 2025
The National Suicide Prevention Strategy is the first major deliverable for the National Suicide Prevention Office, bringing together first-hand evidence provided by people with lived and living experience of suicide, the latest research, and recommendations from existing inquiries and reports.
RSL Tasmania thanks Veteran Family Advocate Commissioner Gwen Cherne VFA, who served on the Advisory Board, ensuring the voices and experiences of veterans and their families were central to the strategy’s development.
RSL Tasmania receives $1.8 million in Veteran homelessness funding
7 February 2025
RSL Tasmania has today been announced as the recipient of $1.8 million for the Veteran Housing Program Tasmania as part of the Albanese Labor Government’s commitment to address Veteran homelessness.
With Veterans three times more likely to experience homelessness than the general population, this program is intended to support Veterans and their families experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Letter to Tasmanian Heritage Council regarding protection of Hobart Cenotaph
27 September 2024
RSL Tasmania CEO John Hardy has written to the Chair of the Tasmanian Heritage Council seeing an urgent meeting regarding the stadium plans recently submitted to the Tasmanian Planning Commission by the Macquarie Point Development Corporation (MPDC) and their impact on the Hobart Cenotaph.
RSL Tasmania launches VeteranHub, Tasmania’s new home of Veteran services
22 May 2024
RSL Tasmania today announced the launch of VeteranHub, Tasmania’s new one stop shop for Veteran services. The integrated service delivery model will enable Tasmanian Veterans and their families to receive the right support, either remotely or in person.
Veterans and their families can access the complimentary service by calling VeteranHub on 03 6154 0000 or visiting veteranhub.org.au.
Listen to RSL Tasmania CEO John Hardy speak about VeteranHub on ABC Tasmania Mornings, 22 May 2024.
Why We Remember: Remembrance Day 2023
11 November 2023
RSL Tasmania CEO Mr John Hardy on Why We Remember.
Listen to to the audio here or click below to read his speech in full.
RSL Australia welcomes GP’s Veteran Access Payment increase
1 November 2023
The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) has applauded today’s lifting of the Veteran Access Payment for certain general practitioner services and says the incentive should improve access to medical services for many veterans.
RSL Tasmania begins VeteranHub rollout following successful business case
28 June 2023
Over the last 12 months, RSL Tasmania has engaged with the Australian Commonwealth Government regarding Tasmania’s application for the Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs funding, submitting the final business case in March 2023.
RSL Tasmania has been notified that its business case was successful and can now commence the implementation of VeteranHub across the state.
Watch the story on 7 Tasmania or listen to RSL Tasmania CEO John Hardy discuss the announcement on ABC Hobart.
Homelessness and Veterans: Letter to Guy Barnett, Minister for State Development, Construction and Housing and Veterans’ Affairs
27 March 2023
The Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute conducted a study on the ADF, with very concerning findings – 5.3% of recently transitioning ADF personnel experience homelessness, a rate 178% higher than that of the general population. The State Government cannot do everything, but it needs to show stronger leadership in this area.
RSL Tasmania’s position on location of proposed stadium near Hobart Cenotaph
27 February 2023
RSL Tasmania has written to the Premier of Tasmania outlining its opposition to the proposed location of a stadium near the Hobart Cenotaph. RSL Tasmania is supportive of the AFL and of a stadium or stadiums in Tasmania, but not at a site of such cultural impact.
Listen to RSL Tasmania CEO John Hardy discuss these concerns on ABC Hobart Mornings.
Interim Report – Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide
11 August 2022
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide handed down its interim report today, making 13 recommendations that must be implemented as soon as possible.
Read the Royal Commission’s Interim Report Recommendations.
Download the Interim Report in full.
Listen to an interview with RSL Tasmania CEO John Hardy on Tasmania Talks.
Local forces key to vital health battle
8 August 2022
Tasmanian veterans want improved access to culturally safe transition and health services, and the main stumbling blocks include the distance to access services, hours of service, knowledge of services available, financial and cultural barriers, and a need for ‘veteran friendly’ services. VeteranHub is a model to better serve our veterans’ needs, writes RSL Tasmania CEO John Hardy in The Mercury.
