Deadline for Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide Submissions Fast Approaching
The deadline for submissions to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide is less than a month away.
The RSL is calling for a National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Wellbeing to lead implementation of the forthcoming recommendations of the Royal Commission; to ensure there is a mechanism to keep a permanent watch on this issue and continue to hold Government, Defence and others to account. (Read RSL’s Submissions)
The RSL supports the recent call from the head of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, Commissioner Nick Kaldas, for the establishment of a permanent body and a Commissioner-type role to be established to oversee the implementation of the Commission’s recommendations.
The current Royal Commission marks the 58th inquiry into Defence and veteran suicide by Australian Governments, and meaningful change must now result.
In his recent National Press Club appearance, Mr Kaldas commended the ex-service organisation (ESO) sector for listening to the evidence presented to the Commission and was already taking action to address its emerging findings.
RSL Australia President Greg Melick said this included a national forum process facilitated by the RSL, which is working towards establishing a peak body for the sector, as well as other initiatives. The next ESO forum will be held on October 10 with the prompt release of the Royal Commission’s report by the Government and the establishment of an implementation body key discussion points.
Greg Melick said following on from the Royal Commission, the RSL has called for the Government to establish a National Office for Defence and Veteran Wellbeing headed by an Independent Commissioner, supported by a cross-organisational Advisory Group. The Commissioner and Office would maintain a permanent watch on veteran wellbeing.
The proposed entity would be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Royal Commission’s recommendations and the RSL sees this as the vital component missing from previous Government responses to reports and inquiries into the health and wellbeing of serving ADF members and veterans.
“This appears to be strongly aligned to the thinking of the Royal Commission as evidenced by Commissioner Kaldas’ comments at the National Press Club and other comments he has made at stakeholder and other briefings,” Greg Melick said.
“Commissioner Kaldas has likened this body to something akin to the Interim Commissioner for Defence Suicide which was disbanded prior to the establishment of the Royal Commission.
“The RSL believes the Commissioner and Office can best be established by an Act of Parliament, be independent of Government, appropriately resourced, transparent, and accountable to ensure it can sustainably meet the contemporary and changing needs of ADF members and veterans.
“The RSL has made a detailed submission proposing a permanent body and Commissioner and looks forward to further consultation moving forward.”
Greg Melick says the RSL welcomes the willingness of the Australian Government to move at pace in response to recommendations made by the Royal Commission in its Interim Report.
“We are now asking for Government to be ready to respond and again act in the best interests of ADF members and veterans when the Commission’s final report is delivered by June next year.
“This means that the next Federal Budget must include funding provisions for the establishment of a National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Wellbeing in the most recent Federal Budget.
“We cannot, and must not, forget that at its core, the Royal Commission is about addressing the heart-breaking phenomenon of suicide and suicidality among serving and ex-serving members of our Australian Defence Forces.
“Australia must seize this opportunity to once and for all, provide real improvement in the health and wellbeing of the men and women who serve and have served our nation. The cost of not doing so is too high,” Greg Melick said.
