Royal Commission: Canberra Hearing Block 4 - Summary REPORT
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide completed its fourth Hearing Block in Canberra, with two weeks of Hearings conducted in April. During the eight days of the Canberra hearing block, the Commissioners heard testimony on a broad range of relevant issues, including:
Liz Cosson AM CSC, Secretary, DVA, provided testimony about mental health support and suicide prevention strategies in DVA, the DVA claims processing backlog (up to 40,000), the inadequacy of DVA workforce and budget arrangements, legislative reform, and the overall Australian veteran’s support system
The legislative and administrative complexity of claims, pensions, and entitlements systems
The difficulties faced by veterans in accessing claims, and the difficulties advocates face in assisting them
Systemic abuse in Defence, and opportunities to do more to address it
Australian Defence Force culture, the command-and-control, male-dominated nature of the organisation, the way in which this can have both positive and negative impacts, and how any negative impacts may be addressed or prevented
The Commonwealth Ombudsman complaints and how although there has been no systemic analysis of these complaints, there are opportunities to do so
The obligation of the ADF to provide members with a safe workplace
Silos in the provision of health care in Defence, where there needs to be a whole of Defence approach to suicide prevention
Information sharing as a key source of improvement for Defence and DVA
The importance of the families of Defence members and veterans was examined in great detail. This included the protective nature of families, the effects of childhood trauma on development, the phenomenon of intergenerational trauma, and the barriers faced by families in accessing services and support
The importance of being able to navigate services, particularly in the context of the transition from Defence to civilian life
Extension of the Royal Commission
The Commonwealth Attorney General has approved an extra 12 months for the Royal Commission to present its Final Report. It is now due on 17th June 2024, with an Interim Report due for release on 11th August 2022. By extending the length of the inquiry, the Commission hopes to:
Allow adequate engagement with Defence and Veteran communities
Pursue data gathering to inform recommendations
Conduct further roundtables with experts
Socialise and test solutions with stakeholders
Examine the work done on the issue by Australia’s allies
Safeguard the safety of the Commonwealth workforce
The Interim Report will focus on urgent issues that can be addressed immediately. Further urgent recommendations may be made before the publication of the Final Report.
The Commissioners will also consider whether a body should be created to follow and implement the work of the Commission, similar to the previous office of Interim Commissioners for Defence and Veterans Suicide
Next Steps
The Royal Commission has so far received more than 1300 submissions and 344 requests for private sessions from across the country. Lived experience testimony continues to inform and shape the direction of the Royal Commission. The issue of mental health and suicide on Defence Members, Veterans and their families cannot be underestimated.
The RSL must continue to listen and seek insights from Veterans, Defence personnel, and their families to better understand their needs, and the role RSL can play in supporting them.
Some of the initiatives currently being pursued by the RSL include:
Implementing the RSL Australia Mental Health Initiative in partnership with Open Arms
Developing a Catalogue of Services application, which will help connect Veterans and their families with local services
Helping to expand the nationwide network of Veterans Wellbeing Centres
The RSL is committed to working with the government, the ESO sector and veterans to coordinate the response needed to minimise the risk of suicide and maximise the wellbeing of Australia’s Defence members and Veteran community.
The next hearing dates will be held in Townsville on Monday 20 June, and will be followed by hearings in Hobart from 1 August.