DVA SPENDS ON ITSELF WHILE VETERANS WAIT

DVA SPENDS ON ITSELF WHILE VETERANS WAIT

The Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) is spending $312,774 of taxpayers' money on a new "Agency Brand Identity", a contract that has already been amended three times in four months, with the latest variation quietly adding another $7,078.50.

AusTender records show DVA awarded the graphic design contract on 6 February 2026 for an initial value of $230,620.50. It has since been amended three times, most recently on 26 May 2026, with the latest variation not published until 25 June. The total contract value now stands at $312,774 - an increase of almost 36 per cent in less than four months.

Mr Pasin said the growing cost of the contract raised serious questions about the Government's priorities at a time when veterans were waiting longer than ever for the support they had earned.

"In June, 32,925 DVA claims were yet to be allocated for processing. Average processing times increased from 315 days to 364 days in 2025-26, yet the Department's priority appears to have been on a new logo.

"Veterans don't need a new logo. They need their claims processed, their entitlements paid, and their calls answered," Mr Pasin said.

"Every veteran who has waited months for a decision from this Department is entitled to ask why wasting more than $300,000 on a rebrand was the Department’s priority.

"Just like everything under the Albanese Labor Government, the price keeps going up. This contract has already increased three times in just four months. How much more will taxpayers be asked to pay before it's finished?

"Let’s not forget that settling on a new logo is just the beginning. The design fees pale in comparison to the real costs when the new brand is rolled out across every departmental sign, letterhead, website and form."

Mr Pasin said the Minister for Veterans' Affairs must answer basic questions:

• Who decided that rebranding DVA was a priority, and on what business case? 
• How does the Department justify this expenditure to veterans still waiting on claims?

"Diverting resources away from frontline services in favour in of a costly bureaucratic rebrand at a time when returned service personnel in need are waiting longer than ever is shameful. It tells you everything you need to know about this government and their wrong priorities.