Government welcomes Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide Interim Report

The Australian Government welcomes the Interim Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide by Commissioners Nick Kaldas APM, the Hon James Douglas QC and Dr Peggy Brown AO.

The Government will carefully consider all the recommendations contained in the report and issue a full response in due course, but the Defence and veterans’ community should know that this Government is committed to taking action to reducing incidents of suicide in the Defence and veteran communities.

The Report’s recommendations focus on improving the transition to civilian life, access to support services, simplifying veterans legislation, improving access to information for loved ones, improving the claims system and removing the backlog.

There is significant work that needs to be undertaken to further reform the systems within Defence and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) to improve the support for personnel, veterans and families.

As the Royal Commission continues its inquiry, the Government, Defence and DVA will continue to support the Royal Commission to carry out its important work to further understand the complex issue of suicide, reduce that risk and ensure a better future for our defence and veteran communities.

The Australian Government will review the recommendations closely and provide a formal Government response to each of these shortly.

The Royal Commission will continue its inquiry with its final report due by 24 June 2024.

Anyone wishing to make a submission to the Royal Commission is encouraged to do so by 13 October 2023.

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