Veteran Games Founder Lodges Complaint Over Use of Footage in ABC’s Four Corners Episode

Veteran Support Force Managing Director and retired Special Forces Major Heston Russell has lodged a formal complaint over the use of Veteran Games footage in an episode of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s (ABC) Four Corners.

Launched in 2023, the Veteran Games is an annual Australian team competition for current and former defence personnel that aims to promote purpose, fitness and connection.

But Russell claimed the ABC aired archival footage from the games as part of an investigation into allegations he said were unrelated to the event.

The ABC’s latest Four Corners episode, which aired on Oct. 5, alleged that some companies had built “lucrative business models” around veterans’ services while “squeezing veterans and taxpayers to maximise profits.”

The report examined companies it said had been tasked with helping veterans following an inquiry by the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

It alleged that some were engaging in questionable practices, ranging from dispensing medicinal cannabis without seeing a GP to overcharging fees for reports, and taking a cut of compensation claims.

Russell expressed concern that the ABC’s use of archival footage presented a negative narrative about a Veteran Games sponsor without providing context about the sponsor’s relationship with the games.

“The ABC is absolutely entitled to investigate matters of legitimate public interest,” he said.

“Our complaint is not about its decision to investigate or report on those matters.

“Our complaint is about its decision to use footage and clearly identifiable branding of the Veteran Games—an organisation that was not the subject of the allegations being investigated—in a context we believe was misleading, unnecessary and potentially damaging.”

Russell says the ABC approached him “a few weeks ago” seeking permission to film at the Games because of the sponsor. He said he provided the broadcaster with context about the Games, but it did not attend.

“Instead, Four Corners chose to use archival footage from our 2025 National Finals—including clearly identifiable Veteran Games branding—within the program,” he said.

“The Veteran Games had nothing to do with the matters being investigated.

“Nor did the program acknowledge the very real and significant support our Presenting Sponsor has provided to the Veteran Games, helping us deliver, develop and expand this veteran-led initiative over the past two years.”

Russell also claimed the ABC did not mention that the Games were developed in response to findings of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, which identified the loss of purpose, community and identity experienced by many veterans after service.

“We have now lodged the attached formal complaint with the ABC Ombudsman seeking answers, correction and appropriate public clarification,” he said.

“The standard of journalism here was simply not good enough.

“Sadly, after my previous experiences with the ABC, it is becoming increasingly difficult to say it was unexpected.”

The Epoch Times contacted the ABC for comment.

DVA Responds to ABC Report

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) issued a statement saying it acknowledged the ABC’s examination of activity by commercial veteran advocacy businesses and service providers.

“The alleged incidents of fraud and misconduct are deeply concerning and highlight concerns held by DVA about a number of service providers and commercial advocacy businesses,” it said in a statement.

The DVA said the majority of operators were doing the right thing, but acknowledged that there had been instances of “conduct that exploits veterans and prioritises profit over their wellbeing.”

“Recent reforms stemming from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide have delivered faster support and increased funding for veterans and families of veterans,” the department said.

“In 2025–26, around $15 billion (US$10.5 billion) was provided in payments and services, more than 360,000 veterans and families were supported, and a record 238,389 initial liability conditions were determined.

“Regrettably, the scale of major government-funded schemes—including the veteran support system administered by DVA—attracts a small minority seeking to exploit public funding for financial gain.”

The Department noted that it had identified these increased integrity risks within the veteran support system and begun strengthening its response.