Grim detail in bombshell defence report
Written by admin on September 9, 2024
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide 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 suicide among Australia’s Defence and veteran population.
In a heartbreaking detail, research commissioned by the Royal Commission estimated one veteran has suicide-related contact with police and paramedics every four hours.
In another grim statistic, at least 1677 serving and ex-serving Defence personnel died by suicide 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 abuse.
On average, there have been three deaths of serving and ex-serving defence members by suicide every fortnight.
The final report contains 122 recommendations to drive improved health and wellbeing outcomes for serving and ex-serving Australian 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 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 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”.
“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, suicide rates have not improved.
Commissioner Kaldas in March said there was “a catastrophic failure of leadership at a government level and within the military to prioritise the urgent reforms” laid 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.
