Policy and advocacy
A structured voice for the sector
VESPIIA contributes to policy, inquiry and reform processes using evidence, lived experience and cross-sector collaboration. Our advocacy reflects what practitioners and organisations actually face — and what needs to change.
Our approach
How we engage in policy and reform
VESPIIA brings practitioner-informed, evidence-backed engagement to formal and informal policy processes. We don't just submit and move on — we follow through.
Submissions and inquiries
Formal submissions to Senate committees, House inquiries, government reviews and public consultations — on behalf of the sector.
Position statements
Public statements on significant sector developments, policy announcements and reform proposals that affect the communities we represent.
Roundtables and working groups
Structured facilitated discussions that develop practical recommendations — bringing sector voices together before they reach government.
Government briefings
Direct engagement with ministerial offices, departments and agencies — federal and state — on issues that matter to the sector.
Media and public commentary
Sector commentary through media, public communications and social channels. VESPIIA is a structured national contact for first responder industry issues.
Lived experience amplification
Ensuring practitioner and community voices are present in reform conversations — not just consulted in retrospect.
Current focus
What we're working on
These focus areas guide our submissions and representation. They shift as inquiries open and sector needs evolve.
Advocacy systems and reform
Quality, oversight, accessibility and sustainable models for support and advocacy services.
Wellbeing and recovery
Practical supports that improve outcomes for those who serve and their families.
Transition and employment
Better pathways, employer capability and long-term participation beyond uniform.
Families and community systems
Family-centred approaches and stronger connections between service and civilian supports.
Evidence and capability
Research translation, evaluation and sector capability uplift to support delivery.
National collaboration
Reducing duplication and improving coordination across services, states and sectors.
Public record
Submissions and publications
VESPIIA's formal public record — all documents published in reverse chronological order and available as PDF downloads.
Senate submissions
4 documents
Defence Amendment (Sexual Assault Prevention, Intervention and Response Commission) Bill 2025
Submission responding to legislative reform relating to prevention, intervention and oversight mechanisms for sexual assault in Defence.
View PDF
Senate Standing Committee — Advocacy services for veterans accessing compensation and income support
Submission addressing structural issues within veteran advocacy services and compensation systems.
View PDF
Defence Amendment (Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal) Bill 2025
Submission relating to reform of appeals and review processes within the Defence honours and awards system.
View PDF
Senate Select Committee on Australia's Disaster Resilience
Submission outlining cross-sector capability and community resilience considerations for the national disaster resilience framework.
View PDF
Other submissions
2 documents
Draft Western Australian Suicide Prevention Framework 2026–2031
Submission addressing suicide prevention reform and sector coordination across Western Australia.
View PDF
Letter of support — WiDA joint submission to Safe Work Australia's Best Practice Review
Letter endorsing joint sector reform recommendations relating to safe work practices for first responders.
View PDF
Statements
2 documents
VESPIIA endorses opening of WAPOL State Operations Command Centre
Statement recognising capability uplift and coordination improvements within Western Australia's police operations.
View PDF
Support to first responders in Western Australia and Queensland
Public statement of support during major operational incidents and community response efforts in WA and QLD.
View PDF
Coordination
Advocacy register
A public coordination tool to improve visibility and reduce duplication across the sector. Individuals and organisations can log policy, reform or advocacy initiatives they're currently progressing — to find alignment, avoid overlap and connect with others working on related issues.
About the register
Entries reflect information provided by contributors and do not constitute endorsement by VESPIIA. VESPIIA reserves the right to moderate or remove entries that do not align with its purpose or professional standards.
Add your initiative
Log your advocacy work
Leading a submission, reform initiative or sector campaign? Add it to the register — and indicate if you're seeking collaborators, research partners or sector support.
Submit an entryHave an issue you want raised?
If you have evidence, lived experience or a sector issue you think VESPIIA should be tracking or responding to, get in touch with the policy team. Please do not send sensitive personal information by email.
Stay across the sector
Join VESPIIA to be part of the advocacy and representation work — and to have your voice included in future submissions.