Commissioners Dr Peggy Brown, Nick Kaldas (centre) and James Douglas conducted a three-year Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. Photos: Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
After a three-year inquiry involving more than 5800 submissions, the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide handed down its final report, with a key proposal of establishing a permanent, powerful oversight body to monitor the implementation of its recommendations and maintain a keen focus on these issues.
At least 1677 serving and former Defence Force personnel died by suicide between 1997 and 2021 – more than 20 times the number killed in active duty over the same period. On average, there have been three deaths of serving and former Defence members by suicide every fortnight.
Commissioners Nick Kaldas, Dr Peggy Brown and James Douglas delivered the report to the Governor-General today (9 September). It contains 122 recommendations to improve the health and wellbeing of serving and former Defence personnel and save lives.
The seven-volume report is the culmination of 12 public hearings with evidence from more than 340 witnesses, including more than 60 people with lived experience of suicide and suicidality, with almost 900 private sessions conducted.
The inquiry examined cultural, structural and systemic issues contributing to alarming rates of suicide and suicidality among Australia’s Defence and veteran population.
Mr Kaldas, the commission chair, said the final report was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to save veterans’ lives.
“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 sexual and other forms of abuse to the disciplinary system being weaponised against those who complain, to inadequate transition arrangements, to delays and unfair treatment in the Departments of Defence and Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) claims processes, all of these factors have led to the trauma experienced by the thousands of people this inquiry has heard from.”
Commissioner Kaldas said the royal commission brought the issues to light and the government and its agencies, including the ADF and DVA, must work to turn the tide on Defence and veteran suicide.
He said leadership had been a catastrophic failure at all levels to prioritise the health and wellbeing of serving and ex-ADF members and their families.
“Australia cannot afford for this royal commission’s final report to end up on a shelf gathering dust,” Commissioner Kaldas said.
“We’ve provided government a robust, evidence-based blueprint for real, meaningful and long-lasting reforms to drive improved health and wellbeing outcomes for our sailors, soldiers and aviators – and, ultimately, save veterans’ lives.”
Commission chair Nick Kaldas visits the army’s First Recruit Training Battalion at Kapooka before the first hearing in Wagga Wagga.
Commissioner Brown said genuine leadership and accountability would be needed to address the suicide crisis – but external oversight was also critical.
“No matter how sincere their efforts, this is not a problem that Defence or DVA can be trusted to solve by themselves,” Dr Brown said. “Earnest efforts to effect change, strong accountability and external oversight must be part of the picture going forward.”
Commissioner Douglas stressed that the Royal Commission’s recommendations would go a long way to building a stronger, more resilient and better ADF to meet Australia’s defence capability needs at a time of significant geopolitical uncertainty.
“My hope for the outcome of this royal commission is that we will have set in train a process that results in a significant drop in suicide rates in our military community,” Commissioner Douglas said.
“It should also have the effect that the ADF becomes both more cohesive and effective in its primary function of defending Australia and its national interests.”
The inquiry also commissioned research that estimated one veteran had suicide-related contact with police and paramedics across Australia every four hours.
Separate commissioned research found ex-serving men and women were more likely to be admitted to hospital for a self-harm-related diagnosis than other Australians.
It has been the lived experience of people who’ve been touched by military suicide, shared in public hearings, private sessions and written submissions, that has helped the Royal Commission to pinpoint the issues failing veterans and their families.
Despite at least 57 previous inquiries relating to Defence and veteran suicide over the past 20 to 30 years, resulting in some 770 recommendations – there has been no improvement in suicide rates.
The final report will be published on the Royal Commission’s website shortly after it is tabled by the government in the Federal Parliament.
If this story has raised any issues for you, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467, the Defence All-hours Support Line on 1800 628 036, Open Arms on 1800 011 046 or Soldier On, 1300 620 380.
Original Article published by Shri Gayathirie Rajen on Region Riverina.
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