Leadership
I have a proven track record of active leadership within the RSL across four states. This has included holding the positions of President, Vice-President, Secretary and member of seven RSL Sub-Branches in SA, ACT, Victoria and Queensland.
My experience in both metropolitan and small country Sub-Branches has provided me with a sound understanding and appreciation of what is important to ensure that we thrive and survive. This includes having a State Branch that actively listens, collaborates and supports Sub-Branches and the veteran community to which it serves.

As a priority, I will work hard to reestablish trust between Sub-Branches and State Branch and forge stronger relationships to better support all Sub-Branches, regardless of size, location or membership.

A Veteran focus
Our veteran community is facing significant changes in the coming years as a result of the findings of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide and other pending legislative amendments. These changes are an opportunity to improve the health, wellbeing and circumstances of our veteran community if our views are appropriately communicated to the government - both State and Federal.
As the elected representative of veterans in South Australia, I will advocate for veterans of all generations to protect our hard earned entitlements and seek improvements to legislation, where needed.  I will represent you and your views to the government by taking the time to meet with and consult you on matters that directly impact our community. I will pursue opportunities for the private sector to employ veterans in their businesses and utilise our skills, experience and training for the wider community after our service.

I am particularly concerned about the following:
- Ensuring the outcomes of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide are acted upon by the government and RSL,
- I do not believe any veteran should be worse off as a result of harmonisation of veteran legislation (VEA, MRCA, SRCA, DRCA),
- Improving our service delivery. Providing a better hand up and not just a hand out, and
- Making the RSL the premier Ex-Service Organisation for advocacy and welfare in South Australia/Northern Territory.
RSL SA/NT has a bright future with veterans at the core of what we say and do. I look forward to opportunities to advocate for and represent veterans; making sure our members' views are heard and understood across government, the private sector and the broader community.

I will represent and advocate for all veterans.

Membership
SA and the NT in the 2022 census had at least 57,386 veterans eligible for membership - both current and former serving members of the
Australian Defence Force. RSL SA/NT has 2,462 service members eligible to vote in this election. It is deeply disappointing that 96% of our fellow veterans choose not to be members of RSL SA.
RSL SA/NT has been led and supported by veterans for many years who have sacrificed so much for our organisation. I understand and acknowledge that change is challenging but a leadership and membership transition can be successfully achieved.
I believe RSL SA/NT can improve our recruitment and retention of veterans, of all conflicts and service history, when led by a more representative cross section of our veteran community.
As the 'Defence' State, we can and must do better to recruit and retain veterans to our organisation.

I will pursue opportunities to:
- Develop a simple online membership portal to take the burden off of our hardworking volunteers and accessible to Sub-Branch Secretaries,
- Offer a warm welcome and membership to our organisation for all veterans who discharge to live in South Australia, Northern Territory or Broken Hill,
- Enhance our presence and support to current serving ADF members across SA/NT on and off base,
- Engage with veterans who have left our organisation in recent years and encourage them to rejoin, and
- Focus the organisation on grassroots to ease the volunteer/administrative burden and encourage new leaders to 'step up'.

I will seek to significantly grow our membership of service members within three years.

Transparency
RSL SA/NT is a veterans member-based organisation and nothing we do is secret or should be hidden from our members. Membership of RSL SA/NT should be accompanied by openness, transparency and accountability from the RSL SA/NT leadership and management. I strongly believe that transparency and openness brings better governance for our members and organisation. With better governance comes a stronger and more resilient organisation that is better able to cope with difficult circumstances.

I will pursue opportunities to:
- Hold a quarterly State Presidents Forum, in person and online, for all RSL SA/NT service members to join and raise important topics to you and the organisation,
- Hold a quarterly Presidents Forum, in person and online, for all RSL SA/NT Sub-Branch Presidents and executives to raise important topics to your Sub-Branch, Veterans and the wider organisation,
- Seek to allow members to observe and participate in RSL SA/NT Board meetings just as a member can at a Sub-Branch Committee meeting,
- Build trust between members, Sub-Branches and the State Branch by offering open and honest communication between all parties in a timely manner,
- Be available for contact by email and phone with an 'open door policy' for our service members, and
- Transition the Annual Sub-Branch Conference to being, along with the core constitutional requirements, a forum in which policy on important veterans affairs issues are decided as an organisation (eg, Royal Commission and the Douglas Decision).
As a resident of country SA who also works fulltime in the agriculture industry, I will ensure that my leadership and participation is representative of all veterans who volunteer across RSL SA/NT. Activities involving RSA SA/NT State Branch must be held at accessible times and locations (including online) for all members to contribute to our organisation. I am fortunate to work several days a week in Adelaide and this will allow the full performance of my duties as your RSL SA/NT State President.

My phone number is 0401 282 122, my email is dave@pppco.com.au. Let's discuss what is important to you and your Sub-Branch.

Contact

dave@pppco.com.au
0401 282 122
c/- Crystal Brook RSL, 31 Brandis St, Crystal Brook SA 5523