Last week, the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide Final Report was tabled in Parliament.
The Coalition recognises that the release of the Final Report will be difficult for many current and former Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and their families, and our thoughts are with them during these times.
The Royal Commission made 122 recommendations which the Coalition will now examine in full and consider in due course.
We remain committed to working with the Government to address the unacceptably high rates of suicide in the defence and veteran community.
The Royal Commission detailed troubling findings.
The final report revealed the devastating loss of 1,677 veterans to suicide between 1997 and 2021. Behind each of these numbers is a family shattered by grief – a brother or sister lost, parents mourning a son or daughter, children growing up without their father or mother.
We have an obligation to these families and to our nation to uncover the causes of this crisis and take action to address it.
The men and women of the ADF serve our nation with extraordinary honour and bravery.
These findings highlight the urgent need for us to provide the support they truly deserve. Military service is a profound sacrifice, and our actions must reflect that level of commitment.
It is now for our nation’s leaders, all of us, to be brave for them and deliver the change required.
While troubling, it is my hope that the Royal Commission will result in real and valuable reforms.
The Coalition has extended our appreciation to the thousands of veterans, their families, and others who gave evidence and participated in private hearings. Their contributions have been invaluable.
Support is available to all serving and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families by contacting Open Arms for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on 1800 011 046.
ENDS.
Media Contact: Greta Dwan 0414 211 908
