The Commission is the Government's independent research and advisory body on a range of issues affecting the welfare of Australians. This inquiry will examine whether the system of compensation and rehabilitation for veterans is fit for purpose now and into the future. It follows the Government’s response to a report by the Senate Standing Committee on Defence, Foreign Affairs and Trade on suicide by veterans and ex-service personnel. The Commission will also review the governance arrangements, administrative processes and service delivery of the Veterans’ Affairs portfolio.

The inquiry will build on the Government’s agenda of placing the needs of veterans and their families at the centre of the services provided by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

As we mark 100 years of repatriation and continue caring for the next generation of veterans, this inquiry will help inform how we deliver services for our ex-service men and women and their families into the future. The Commission is due to report to Government within 15 months.

A new report into the importance of soil to Australia’s farmers and food supply has been released. Australia’s National Soils Advocate Major-General the Hon Michael Jeffery this week released the report Restore the Soil: Prosper the Nation. Farmers depend highly on the health of their soil. Soil is as important as air and water to farm productivity.

Without healthy soil the Australian economy and food supply would be at huge risk because our farm sector would falter. Healthy soils are key to achieving the ambitious target of growing agriculture to a $100 billion industry by 2030. The report is available at: http://bit.ly/2Gi9Nvp.