Veteran suicide royal commission being considered by government

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he is “actively considering” holding a royal commission into the country’s veteran suicide crisis following The Daily Telegraph’s Save our Heroes Summit in Sydney.

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison has declared he is now “actively considering” holding a royal commission into the country’s veteran suicide crisis.

Mr Morrison told Sky News last night that more needed to be done to prepare soldiers for their transition from military to civilian life.

It comes just a day after he met grieving mothers before The Daily Telegraph’s Save our Heroes Summit in Sydney on Wednesday.

“It gave me a much better understanding of what they were seeking out of a royal commission,” Mr Morrison said. “They were aware I had not ruled it out and it was something I am actively considering.”

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison says a royal commission won’t be ruled out. Picture: AAP/Bianca De Marchi

NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Veterans James Griffin has revealed he came to one conclusion after listening to six mothers who have all lost their veteran sons to suicide.

A royal commission is the only way to find out why so many of Australia’s veterans are dying and to then devise ways to help those struggling.

“Unfortunately the facts paint a clear picture: those who do need help aren’t getting it. A royal commission will help deliver the wholesale change where it is needed,” Mr Griffin said. “I’m proud to be a member of a government supporting the call for a royal commission.” 

Prime Minister Scott Morrison holds a meeting with the mothers of veterans who committed suicide. Picture: Adam Taylor

The Summit was convened at NSW parliament to give voice to six courageous mothers of military veterans who were horrendously mistreated in the lead-up to their deaths. NSW Veterans Minister Geoff Lee made the surprise announcement that the state government would support the mothers’ calls for a royal commission, in a move which has heaped pressure on Mr Morrison to call the inquiry. More than 500 current and serving military personnel have taken their own lives since 2001, with an average of one a week dying this year.

The summit, which was attended by veterans including VC winner Ben Roberts-Smith, heard four veterans of one navy unit have taken their lives in the past four weeks.

Both Mr Griffin’s parents served in the army, and his brother-in-law recently returned from service in Afghanistan, and he said: “As we close the chapter on the centenary of the Anzac, we shouldn’t close the chapter on supporting our veterans.” 

“Transitioning from a life that’s alien to most people is a complex and challenging time. The insights from the summit demonstrated the problem we have and also gave some clues on what needs to be done to fix the situation.”

Labor Spokesman for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Shayne Neumann said the ALP would support a royal commission if the federal government called one.

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Originally published as Veteran suicide royal commission being considered by government