Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines says the final report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide is a watershed moment for Australia, and an opportunity to prioritise the health and wellbeing of veterans and serving defence personnel.
The royal commission handed down 122 recommendations, the culmination of three years and 5800 submissions that examined the crisis rates of suicide among serving ADF members and veterans.
“This report is incredibly significant for our veterans’ community,” Dr Haines said.
“It is clear that governments need to do more to make the health and wellbeing of our defence personnel an active and long-term priority, not just during their service, but also when they transition to civilian life and beyond.
“Whenever I speak with veterans and defence personnel and their loved ones across Indi, they tell me about their challenge in accessing timely and co-ordinated supports when they need it, despite the best endeavours of local services.
“My office hears from veterans whose services have been cut off because of delays within the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. This simply isn’t good enough. The final report makes clear that these delays are a form of secondary trauma for veterans.”
The royal commission noted previous inquiries and reviews had provided 750 recommendations, which had resulted in some improvement but not the level of reform needed to effect significant change.
The Federal Government will review the recommendations and provide a formal response.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has vowed the government’s response to the report into veteran suicide won’t be delayed.
A key recommendation in the seven-volume final report included setting up an agency dedicated to the wellbeing of veterans to help with the transition from military to civilian life.
The prime minister pledged to respond as soon as possible.
“I’m confident that this will be an area where the parliament will work across the political divide to make sure that we address this, that we give respect to those men and women who wear our uniform or who retired from the defence force,” Mr Albanese said.
Dr Haines emphasised that the time to act was now.
“Defence personnel make unparalleled sacrifice in serving our country and unfortunately that commitment has not been reciprocated with sufficient support during and after service,” Dr Haines said
“As an independent member of parliament representing veterans right across north-east Victoria, I will be pushing the government to make significant and lasting changes. Veterans should not have to wait any longer, and I call on the government to respond to the final report as soon as possible.
“This week I spoke with Julie-Ann Finney, whose dogged advocacy after the suicide of her son David was the catalyst for this Royal Commission. Her heart breaks every day at the loss of her son and so do thousands of others.”