ROYAL COMMISSION INTO DEFENCE AND VETERAN SUICIDE WELCOMED

Member for Riverina Michael McCormack has welcomed the Federal Government’s formal establishment of a Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide to be led by former New South Wales Police Deputy Commissioner Mr Nick Kaldas APM.

“Sadly, the Riverina and Central West, as with all communities and regions throughout Australia, has been affected by suicides among Australian Defence Force members and veterans, so this development is a good outcome,” Mr McCormack said.

Mr McCormack praised the work of former Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Darren Chester, who led consultation on the Terms of Reference for the Royal Commission, assisted by the Attorney-General, Senator Michaelia Cash.

More than 3000 pieces of feedback were received during the consultation period between 19 April 2021 and 21 May.

“I think this large number of submissions reflects the community’s intense interest in this most important issue,” Mr McCormack said.

“We owe a debt to those who have served or who are serving our nation in the defence forces to find why there is this unacceptably high rate of self harm and to put in place measures to reduce the risks.”

Mr McCormack said Mr Kaldas was a good choice as Royal Commissioner. As NSW Police Deputy Commissioner, Mr Kaldas commanded about 14,000 staff and a budget of more than $2 billion.

Mr Kaldas also has extensive international experience in law enforcement and peacekeeping, including as Director of Internal Oversight Services for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, and as Chief of Investigations for the United Nations Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in Syria.

Mr Kaldas will be supported by The Hon James Douglas QC, a former Judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland, and Dr Peggy Brown AO, a consultant psychiatrist and national leader in mental health policy with extensive experience in health and mental health service planning, governance and administration.

The Royal Commission will inquire into systemic issues and common themes related to defence and veteran death by suicide, including the possible contribution of pre-service, service, transition, separation and post-service issues, and other matters believed by the Royal Commission to be relevant to its inquiry.

The Royal Commission will be able to inquire into any previous death by suicide, including suspected suicide. It will be conducted independently of Government, including the Departments of Defence and Veterans’ Affairs.

Mr McCormack said the Royal Commission would conduct its inquiries in a trauma-informed way and private sessions would be available to those who wished to share their story in private.

“The inquiry will be informed by individual experiences of Defence members, veterans, their families and support networks so I encourage anyone who wants to make a submission to do so,” Mr McCormack said.

“As a former Veterans’ Affairs Minister, former Assistant Defence Minister and representing the only inland regional city with all three arms of Defence, I know just how important this is to the Defence Force community and their loved ones.”

Counselling and support services will be available to assist people calling or engaging with the Royal Commission. This will include counselling support available before, during and after a person participates in a hearing or Private Session.

A legal financial assistance scheme will be available to people called as witnesses to the Royal Commission.

Further information on the Royal Commission, including the Terms of Reference and information on how to make a submission will be available at https://defenceveteransuicide.royalcommission.gov.au

The Royal Commission is due to provide an interim report on 11 August 2022 and a final report on 15 June 2023.

The National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention Bill, currently before the Parliament, will be amended to ensure that the National Commissioner will complement, and not duplicate, the Royal Commission’s important work. The National Commissioner will be the permanent body responsible for implementing the Royal Commission’s recommendations.

These landmark measures will together reduce deaths by suicide of defence members and veterans.

Mr McCormack said $11.7 billion in Federal funding supported more than 325,000 veterans and their families each year.

If you, or someone you know, need support, you can contact:

• Lifeline Australia – 13 11 14

• Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467

• Open Arms (current and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families can seek this free and confidential support) – 1800 011 046

• ADF Mental Health All-hours Support Line (for current serving ADF personnel and their families) – 1800 628 036.

• Safe Zone Support (for current and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families) – 1800 142 072. When you call Safe Zone Support, you do not need to identify yourself.

Shane Manning