Address to Parliament- MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS - Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide

As a former veterans' affairs minister and a former Assistant Minister for Defence, I say at the outset one of the words that sometimes seems to be the hardest word to say in this building, and that is: sorry. I am sorry for things that have happened to veterans. I am sorry—and, of course, was sorry, even prior to the royal commission delivering its final recommendations—for anyone who has experienced harm or hardship or sexual assault. To those families who have lost loved ones through veteran suicides: I am sorry. I know that the royal commission is important, and that is why we, in government as a coalition, called a royal commission. I know the tremendous work the former veterans' affairs minister the member for Gippsland did in this space, as have other veterans' affairs ministers too. I particularly mention the member the Gippsland for the work that he did in endeavouring, at all times, to ensure that veterans were looked after. The Department of Veterans' Affairs also sometimes gets a terrible rap, and I know the work that Secretary Liz Cosson and others do to ensure that veterans feel as though there is somebody wrapping their arms around them. They're not always going to get it right. It wouldn't matter what department it was; it wouldn't matter what political party it was; it's not always going to get everything right to everyone's satisfaction. And I know that some veterans choose not to be part of the DVA process, choose not to obtain the help that is available to them.

I am pleased that when we were in government we provided free mental health support to those who've served in uniform, even if they served just one day in uniform. For all those who have served in uniform, that assistance is available. At the outset, I very much urge and encourage those people to take that opportunity up if they feel they need it. I also urge and encourage them, if they should so choose, to contact Lifeline, 131144, or Open Arms, 1800011046. There are other support lines as well, like Beyond Blue, 1300224636. It's 24/7. They've got a website as well, as do the other services. There is the Suicide Call Back Service, 1300659467. Counselling support is also available through the royal commission. To discuss that support, people can email—I appreciate it's a long email address but I will say it anyway, for those who might be reading this on Hansard—dvsrc.enquiries@royalcommission.gov.au or they can phone 1800329095. Please take any of those services up if you feel as though you need it.

Today is an important day for Wagga Wagga. It is the final day of the hearings which began on 28 November. It's the eighth public hearing conducted by the royal commission. It follows a hearing in Darwin in October. Already I know that the Wagga Wagga hearings have heard some disturbing stories, some harrowing tales, from people who have bravely, courageously offered their lived experience, such as former Australian Defence Force member Kylie Reynolds. She told some harrowing tales. It must take a lot to dig within and provide those memories of sexual assault, of serious injury and of the hardship and heartache that many ADF people have experienced, particularly when it was at such a young age. Kylie was just 17 when she enlisted with the ADF Army ready reserves in Brisbane back in January 1993. She completed a three-month recruit training stint at Kapooka, and it was there that she celebrated her 18th birthday. When you turn 18 it should be the happiest time of your life. It really should. Her prospects were bright, and she was making great strides in her service. Yet, sadly, she looks back on that service as being one of the worst, most troubling times of her life. She says, 'As a young female private, I was the lowest of the low.' She rose through the ranks to corporal, then sergeant and eventually warrant officer 2 and should have been looking forward to a great career. But sadly that is not the case. Hers is just one of many stories that have been told, and we will hear further similar experiences.

I listened closely to the member for Blair, the previous speaker. I think sometimes all too often we get a bit partisan with these things. I'm not saying every government member does. But the previous government did some good things in this space. We really did. We shouldn't just be mocked and knocked every step of the way, because there were some good things done, in what I say was a bipartisan way. He finished his remarks by talking about the veteran wellbeing centres. I have some news for him, if he's not already aware, about the Wagga wellbeing centre. I know Pro Patria and the Wagga RSL are very much working towards that. Pro Patria already has a facility, a building, an amenity at north Ashmont in my home town of Wagga Wagga. The RSL is very much forward leaning in this space as well, through the efforts of Charlotte Webb and Dave Gardiner, the sub-branch president. And yet the $5 million committed prior to the election has been stripped away; it has been taken from Wagga Wagga. If ever there was a centre deserving, needing—

Mr Pearce: Hear, hear!

Mr McCORMACK: I hear 'hear, hear' from the member for Braddon, who knows Wagga Wagga well having been at Kapooka. If ever there is a centre that needs it, it is Wagga Wagga. It's the only inland regional centre with all three arms of the Defence Force. Since 1939 we've had a Royal Australian Air Force presence. Since 1942 we've been the home of the soldier, that long line of khaki stretching back to World War II. And since 1993 we've had a Navy presence in our town. They're based with the Air Force at Forest Hill. It's an important Navy institution. It has, generally, between 70 and 80 personnel.

Even though we're a long way from the nearest drop of seawater, as I often say, the Navy plays an integral part in Wagga Wagga, and may that long continue. I know the infrastructure spend that I made sure was going to go to Wagga to upgrade and update those bases, particularly the Forest Hill base, was going to secure those services forever, hopefully. They were needed. Some of the buildings were antiquated, particularly at the RAAF base. They're replacing 1950s buildings with state-of-the-art world-class facilities—as they should.

I would urge and encourage people who have a story to tell to the veteran suicide public hearings to do so. There is still time, plenty of time—indeed, public submissions are open until October next year. I know this is going to make such a difference potentially in the future care and support that future governments will provide to our veterans. Already there is plenty of help and support and services available, and I would encourage and implore those people who have worn the uniform and those people who are considering an Army, Air Force or Navy career to avail themselves and find out more about what services are available post their careers.

I would just finish on this note. Just because some have experienced—many have experienced—hardship and heartache in their service, please, if you are considering a career in the armed forces, please pursue that. There is no finer work that you can do for your nation than to serve in our military. Our military needs you; our military supports you and there is care and support for you when you finish your career.