‘Once-in-a-lifetime chance to save lives’: Landmark Royal Commission report into defence, veteran suicide to be handed down

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‘Once-in-a-lifetime chance to save lives’: Landmark Royal Commission report into defence, veteran ******** to be handed down

The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran ******** is due to hand down its final report to the Governor-General today – with a tragic statistic underpinning the landmark findings.

The seven-volume report is the culmination of a three-year inquiry examining the cultural, structural and systemic issues contributing to “alarming” rates of ******** among Australia’s Defence and veteran population.

In a heartbreaking detail, research commissioned by the Royal Commission estimated one veteran has ********-related contact with police and paramedics every four hours.

In another grim statistic, at least 1677 serving and ex-serving Defence personnel ***** by ******** between 1997 and 2021.

The Royal Commission, which launched in July 2021, received nearly 6000 submissions that painted a horrific picture of institutional failures and widespread bullying and ******.

On average, there have been three deaths of serving and ex-serving defence members by ******** every fortnight.

Camera IconCommissioners Peggy Brown, Nick Kaldas and James Douglas during the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran ******** in Sydney. The final report will be handed down today at 11am. NewsWire / Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australiadata:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==Camera IconChief of Defence Force General Angus Campbell was among the hundreds of witnesses who gave evidence over the public hearings. Supplied / Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran ********. Credit: Supplied

The final report contains 122 recommendations to drive improved health and wellbeing outcomes for serving and ex-serving *********** Defence Force personnel

Commission chair Nick Kaldas said the final report is a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to save the lives of veterans.

“This government and future governments must take note of, and accept, the huge amount of evidence revealed through this Royal Commission,” Commissioner Kaldas said. “The problems contributing to this national tragedy are now undeniable and must be dealt with, once and for all.”

“From unacceptable behaviour, to ******* and other forms of ******, to the disciplinary system being weaponised against those who complain, to inadequate transition arrangements, to delays and unfair treatment in the DVA claims processes, all of these factors have led to the trauma experienced by the thousands of people this inquiry has heard from.”

Little is known about what will be in the document, but Soldier On chief executive Amy Cooper said her organisation had worked closely with the commissioners and she was “hopeful”.

She hailed the interim report’s 13 key recommendations as “short and sharp”.

data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==Camera IconDF Secretary Greg Moriarty during the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran ********. NewsWire / Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran ******** Credit: NCA NewsWiredata:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==Camera IconCommissioner Nick Kaldas (centre) said the final report was a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to save the lives of veterans. NewsWire / Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia

“I think the royal commissioners will likewise be making some good, clear and concise recommendations, and that they expect further momentum and traction from government,” she said.

Ms Cooper said she expected many themes of the report to relate to defence personnel transitioning to civilian life, an area of speciality for Soldier On.

“I think there will be a lot around support throughout service life and making sure there’s positive transitions from the ADF,” she said.

“Also the importance of families as a support network, and looking after families as they provide that support too.”

One key recommendation is the establishment of a permanent, powerful oversight body to monitor the implementation of the Royal Commission’s recommendations – and maintain a keen focus on these issues moving forward.

Over the past 20-30 years, and 57 previous inquiries relating to Defence and veteran suicides with 770 other recommendations, ******** rates have not improved.

Commissioner Kaldas in March said there was “a catastrophic ******** of leadership at a government level and within the military to prioritise the urgent reforms” ***** out.

Since it was established in July 2021, the Royal Commission has hosted 12 public hearings.

Over 340 witnesses have given evidence and more than 5800 submissions have been received.

The final report will be handed down at 11am by Commissioners Nick Kaldas APM, Dr Peggy Brown AO and the James Douglas KC.

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