Defence Chief to testify before Royal Commission in Townsville
The Chief of the Defence Force will face rigorous questioning as he gives evidence in Townsville before the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
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THE Chief of the Australian Defence Force is among a list of high-profile witnesses who will give evidence when the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide starts in Townsville on Monday.
Commission chairman Nick Kaldas said Townsville was a “critical” location to visit as one of the country’s largest Defence communities while the high military suicide rate went under microscope.
General Angus Campbell will front the commission and answer questions about Defence culture and the monitoring of suicide within the ranks.
Over the nine-day public hearing, the commission will also hear from former Veterans’ Affairs ministers Andrew Gee and Darren Chester.
A commission spokeswoman told the Bulletin the two politicians would answer questions about claims processing, funding issues and what areas need reform.
The Townsville hearing block will focus on service life at Lavarack Barracks as well as training, deployment, and medical transition out of the ADF.
It will also probe the impact of military service on families.
Mr Kaldas said the Townsville community was deeply affected by suicides of current and ex-serving members.
“We commissioners are here to listen and learn from people who understand the
challenges of military life and the issues that can affect the wellbeing of serving and ex-
serving members,” he said.
The commission spent the past week in Townsville and met with soldiers, veterans, support groups and other stakeholders.
Last year a report compiled the most accurate data on suicides in the Australian Defence Force found between 2001 and 2019, there were at least 1273 military suicides - more than double what had previously been recorded.
The report found veterans had a significantly higher risk of taking their own lives compared to serving soldiers, with those forced to discharge on medical grounds most at risk.
Ex-service women were twice as likely to take their own lives and ex-servicemen faced a 24 per cent higher suicide risk than the general public.
The data showed those who discharged as commissioned officers were half as likely to take their own lives than non-commissioned soldiers.
Other witnesses expected to give evidence in Townsville include academics, experts, representatives of ex-service organisations and people with lived experience of suicide and suicide behaviours.
The Royal Commission has so far received more than 1,500 submissions from
individuals and organisations and conducted around 135 private sessions.
Mr Kaldas said anyone affected by Defence and veteran suicide or the challenges of Defence life should make a submission.
“We’re encouraging anyone who has a story to share to make a submission. You don’t have to
be a witness at a public hearing to have your say,” he said.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
The Royal Commission’s hearings are open to the public but will also be livesteamed on the official website.
People wishing to attend in person at the Mercure Hotel are required to register.
The Royal Commission will publish an interim report by 11 August, which will focus on issues requiring urgent or immediate action.
Veterans are encouraged to contact Open Arms, a free and confidential 24-hour hotline on 1800 011 046.
Originally published as Defence Chief to testify before Royal Commission in Townsville
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