ROYAL COMMISSION INTO DEFENCE AND VETERAN SUICIDE PUBLIC HEARING IN WAGGA WAGGA
Member for Riverina Michael McCormack is encouraging serving and ex-serving Defence members to make a submission to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide ahead of its Wagga Wagga hearing set down for between 28 November and 2 December.
The hearing will be held at the Mercure Hotel, 1 Morgan Street.
It will be the eighth public hearing conducted by the Royal Commission and follows a hearing in Darwin last month.
Mr McCormack said the Darwin hearing had given the Royal Commission insight into the unique challenges of military service in the top end and he expected a similar experience in Wagga Wagga, which is the only regional city with all three arms of the Defence Force – the Home of the Soldier, Blamey Barracks at Kapooka, RAAF Base Wagga and the Royal Australian Navy.
Mr McCormack said thousands of Veterans had also made the Riverina and Central West their home after leaving the Australian Defence Force and would have a keen interest in the work of the Royal Commission.
“The latest Census data indicates there are more than 3,800 Veterans in the Riverina electorate of which 1,426 reside in Wagga Wagga,” Mr McCormack said.
Mr McCormack said the hearing would be open to the public and would also be livestreamed on the Royal Commission website.
A registration link to attend the hearing is available on the website. Registration is not compulsory, but it helps ensure the event is COVID safe and there are enough support staff available.
Witnesses with expertise and experience in training, recruitment and academy schools, as well as those with lived experience of suicide and suicide behaviour, will be called at the Wagga Wagga hearing.
Anyone seeking leave to appear at the hearing can apply on the website.
The Royal Commission was established on 8 July 2021 as an inquiry into the overrepresentation of serving and ex-serving Defence members in deaths by suicide in Australia.
There are three Royal Commissioners heading the inquiry – Nick Kaldas APM (chair), the Hon James Douglas KC and Dr Peggy Brown AO.
“I would encourage anyone who has a story to tell to reach out to the Royal Commission,” Mr McCormack said.
“The Royal Commission has heard some tragic stories and I would also urge anyone distressed by material or images at the Wagga Wagga hearing to seek out support or speak to a member of the inquiry’s counselling team.
“As a former Veterans’ Affairs Minister and former Assistant Defence Minister I know how important the Royal Commission is to the Defence Force community and their loved ones.”
The Royal Commission will accept submissions until 13 October 2023. An interim report was delivered to the Governor-General on 11 August. A final report is due on 17 June 2024.
IF YOU NEED HELP
Lifeline – 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support line)
Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636 (24/7 telephone, website or email short-term counselling)
Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467 (24-hour counselling for suicide prevention and mental health support)
Counselling Support is also available through the Royal Commission. To discuss this support, email dvsrc.enquiries@royalcommission.gov.au or phone 1800 329 095 (9am to 7pm AEST Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays).