Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide to hear from grieving families

Colleen Pillen’s veteran son Michael Powers took his own life at 29 – now she wants justice for him at a royal commission into Defence suicides.

The mother of a soldier who took his life six months after he was discharged from the army says she has been waiting since 2017 for justice.

But today, Colleen Pillen’s voice will finally be heard.

Her son Michael Powers, 29, battled with anxiety and depression and had pleaded for help.

Instead, he was severely bullied and “rejected on every corner” when he tried to get psychological help.

“Michael should be remembered as a fine outstanding soldier who was immensely proud to serve his country,” Ms Pillen said.

“He experienced bullying, humiliation and intimidation, all on home soil, and when he could not cope any longer, he was then discharged administratively and not medically which financially disadvantaged him.

“The royal commission is a much anticipated event and I am personally very keen to see the beginning of looking into the systemic failures within the Defence Force and Department of Veterans’ Affairs.”

Colleen Pillen with a picture of her son, Michael.

Michael was just 29 when he took his life in 2017.

In 2014, the 25-year-old joined the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in Townsville as a private and was due to be deployed to Iraq in 2017.

But his chances of deployment were cut short after he reported feeling unwell and was admitted to hospital for nearly two months.

Ms Pillen made an early submission to the Royal Commission, where she met with Commissioners Nick Kaldas and James Douglas, QC.

“I discussed with them the course of events regarding my son’s demise. Michael’s experiences during army life is what destroyed him,” she said.

“They listened intently, sympathetically and respectfully. I felt that even at this level, very positive things have come from the private session.

Michael (centre) with his brothers Sean (left) and Anthony.

“I also discussed with them the shortcomings and failings of the mental health specialists whom we had sought assistance from but they also neglected Michael’s care.”

Despite carrying the burden of the loss and at times “feeling overwhelmed”, Ms Pillen knew giving up was never an option.

“I have been fortunate to have met a wonderful group of supportive people along the way in fighting for this,” she said

“We now have an enduring bond but it is sadly due to the devastating loss of our children.

“Having this royal commission is something Defence Force personnel past, present and future deserve, at the very least.”

‘YOUR VOICES WILL BE HEARD’

The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide will begin to take evidence today from Brisbane for two weeks of public hearings before resuming in Sydney in February and March next year.

The commission began on Friday with five words many have waited decades to hear, brining quiet tears and cheers from current and serving personnel and their families.

“Your voices will be heard,” the royal commission chair Nick Kaldas said in a powerful opening address to the royal commission in Brisbane.

Mr Kaldas – a former NSW Deputy Police Commissioner and United Nations investigator – said the commission, expected to go for two years, would hear some harrowing stories, adding the significance and magnitude of the task ahead was not lost on him, his fellow commissioners or the team of barristers assisting them.

But he said they had the power and authority to unearth issues, summons witnesses to appear and ultimately change a system and process that had struggled to keep up with modern warfare and civilian society.

“I and my fellow commissioners see this as a once in a generation opportunity for lasting fundamental change,” Mr Kaldos said.

“If we succeed in our aims and we hope and pray that there will be no need for further inquiries of this kind into defence and veteran suicide.”

Karen Bird, Julie-Ann Finney and Nikki Jamieson all lost their sons to suicide. Picture: Zak Simmonds

He said serving and former defence personnel were over-represented in suicide statistics and there was a clear need for change.

Mr Kaldas said he would apply an “investigators mindset” to the task at hand, based on his almost 40 years on the national and international law enforcement stage including leading the UN investigations into the 2005 assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri and the use of chemical weapons in Syria and time served in Iraq with coalition forces as an adviser.

“Throughout these duties I have tried to right wrongs and help those who cannot help themselves,” he said.

Mr Kaldas said there was formidable strength and expertise in his co-commissioners, former Queensland Supreme Court Judge James Douglas QC and psychiatrist and former National Mental Health Commission CEO Dr Peggy Brown.

Mr Douglas said since post the Boer War in 1902 Australia has had inquiries into how its troops’ welfare. But this inquiry he said had wide ranging terms of reference that reflected that Australia had been involved in wars for 40 per cent of the time the Commonwealth has existed.

Julie-Ann Finney collected almost 500,000 signatures calling for a royal commission since her 38-year-old navy poster-boy son David died in 2019

“I’m so grateful we are finally here but due to so many lies it is difficult to trust,” Ms Finney, who is in the Brisbane to give evidence next week, said.

“We – veterans and families – must now be the big voice against those that fought against a royal commission and stand up for the insignificant and in some cases the ignored voices.”