In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Bethany Alvaro speaks with Isaac Ohlin, general manager of policy and services at RSL NSW, about the establishment of the Defence and Veterans' Service Commission – launched on 29 September 2025 in response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide (2021).

The pair discuss the commission's purpose, challenges and impact on Australia's defence and veteran communities, including:

• The commission's role in providing independent oversight of the government's response to more than 100 royal commission recommendations.
• The urgency of addressing veteran suicide, with over 1,800 deaths since 1997, and the need for transparent, systemic reform.
• Barriers to timely action, including the complexity and sensitivity of suicide prevention within the defence ecosystem.
• The importance of cultural and systemic change within the ADF to promote help-seeking behaviour and improve wellbeing.
• The critical transition period for veterans leaving service – identifying gaps in support, responsibility between Defence and the
• Department of Veterans' Affairs, and the role of ex-service and community organisations in bridging those gaps.
• Measures of success for the commission, such as progress on recommendations, stakeholder engagement and, ultimately, a reduction in suicidality rates.
• Ways the broader community and employers can support veterans through understanding, inclusion and employment opportunities.

Ohlin concludes that while the commission's creation is a positive and necessary step, "the hard work is still ahead", requiring collaboration across government, ex-service organisations and the wider public to deliver meaningful change.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team

Ever wondered what it takes to lead with resilience while balancing life, career and wellbeing?

In this episode of The Progress Report, Tash Taylor sits down with Marisa Branscombe, head of marketing communication at Atturra, to talk about leadership, resilience and the human side of managing teams in high-pressure environments.

Marissa shares how her career evolved from recruitment to leading people-focused initiatives across male-dominated industries, and how her passion for supporting others has shaped her approach to leadership.

We dive into topics like creating supportive workplace cultures, navigating burnout and how COVID-19 reshaped our understanding of connection and mental health at work.

From developing mental health initiatives across dispersed teams to finding balance between career and family, Marissa offers grounded, thoughtful insights that remind us that progress isn't just about performance – it's about people.

The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Progress Report team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Mark Gainsford and Matt Dodds of Systematic to discuss the digital transformation shaping the Australian Defence Force.

The trio also examine how, in an era of renewed great power competition, the ADF must adapt to warfare defined by data, speed and contested information environments.

They highlight that the pace of technological and operational change demands tools to cut through “information noise” and deliver decision superiority. Artificial intelligence and analytics can help achieve this, but only when paired with strong training and trust.

Moving on, they discuss the importance of testing and refining AI through realistic digital simulations, enabling adaptation to changing conditions without the cost or risk of live training.

They also talk about the role of digital infrastructure in preparing warfighters for degraded and contested communications environments, where jamming and disruption are common. Investing in resilient, upgradeable systems ensures the ADF maintains operational tempo and confidence in complex conditions.

Finally, they discuss investing in sovereign digital infrastructure, trusted AI and realistic simulation today so the ADF can build the integrated, information-led force needed to out-think and outfight its adversaries – mastering in training what must never be learned in combat.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team