A royal commission into veteran and serving Defence personnel suicides has been announced, after the government relented to pressure to support the broad-ranging and powerful inquiry.
Key points:
- The government has previously resisted calls for a royal commission
- Families of soldiers who have died by suicide have been lobbying for the inquiry
- Scott Morrison says the commission will run alongside a permanent National Commissioner for veteran suicides
In March, a motion passed both chambers of Parliament supporting the creation of the royal commission.
While Prime Minister Scott Morrison did not oppose the motion, the government previously said it wanted to look into the issue through its plan to establish a permanent national commissioner for veteran suicides.
Announcing the royal commission today, Mr Morrison said he hoped the commission would be a "healing process".
"The royal commission will have a mandate to examine the systemic issues and any common themes and past deaths by suicide of Australian Defence Force members and veterans," he said.
"[It will examine] the experience of members and veterans who may continue to be at risk of suicide.
"And it will examine all aspects of service in the Australian Defence Force and the experience of those transitioning from active service."
Mr Morrison said the royal commission would look at past confirmed and suspected suicides.
"Given the sensitive and personal nature of the issues that witnesses may face, the royal commission will be authorised to hold private sessions," he said.
In February last year, Mr Morrison announced a plan to create a permanent National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention.
At that time there were more than 400 known veteran suicide cases dating back to 2001, but that figure has soared over the past 12 months.
By comparison, 41 Australian defence personnel have died during the 20-year conflict in Afghanistan.
Despite introducing the legislation to establish the National Commissioner last year, it has stalled in the Senate.
The PM said the royal commission would work alongside the National Commissioner, who he hoped would have a "forward-looking role" and would implement any recommendations from the inquiry.
ABC News: Matt Roberts
)The announcement comes after sustained lobbying by family members of veterans who have taken their own lives, including Julie-Ann Finney.
Ms Finney's son, David, was a petty officer in the Royal Australian Navy.
He took his own life in February 2019 after being medically discharged, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, in 2017.
Ms Finney said she welcomed the announcement, saying it was a "long time coming".
"Finally, the voices of veterans will be heard. Finally, families can stand up and share their stories," she said.
"The veterans who we have lost too soon, who live on in too many broken hearts."
When asked why it had taken the government so long to support a commission, Mr Morrison said he was "just seeking to get things done".
"I'm pragmatic to get the right outcomes for veterans," he said.
Shadow Defence Minister Brendan O'Connor supported the announcement, saying the government's National Commissioner plan was always "flawed".
"We are glad to see the government has made a decision but it does seem it has done so begrudgingly, belatedly and because of the pressure that has been brought to bear upon them by the veterans community [and] the veterans' families," he said.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMicWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIxLTA0LTE5L2F1c3RyYWxpYW4tdmV0ZXJhbi1zdWljaWRlLWdvdmVybm1lbnQtYW5ub3VuY2VzLXJveWFsLWNvbW1pc3Npb24vMTAwMDc4Mjky0gEoaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXAuYWJjLm5ldC5hdS9hcnRpY2xlLzEwMDA3ODI5Mg?oc=5
2021-04-19 03:00:42Z
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