Save Our Heroes campaign wins as investigation into serving and veteran defence force suicides announced

The campaign for a Royal Commission into serving and veteran defence force suicides has finally been met. Here are the full details.

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The campaign for a Royal Commission into serving and veteran defence force suicides has finally been met. Here are the full details.

■ The new National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention will have the same power as a Royal Commission — but on a permanent basis.

■ The Commissioner will be able to address new issues as they come up and act as a permanent shield for veterans.

■ The new office will be funded by an initial payment of $40 million with more funding to come.

■ The Commissioner will be able to compel evidence and summon witnesses with the threat of contempt and jail for those who refuse to comply.

■ On-going investigations will have the same authority as a coroner.

■ Every year the Commissioner will present parliament with a Veteran and Defence Suicide Report to update on the success of suicide risk minimisation recommendations.

■ The Government will establish an immediate, independent review of 419 known historical veteran suicide cases to better understand the factors leading to suicide.

■ Families of veterans will be engaged in the process and will finally be able to tell their stories and be heard.

■ The Review will be completed within a year with the final report on the PM’s desk inside 18 months.

■ An independent Veteran Family Advocate will be appointed to take the views of veteran families to the Department of Veterans Affairs and influence policy-making.

■ The advocate will be established as a Commissioner and will sit on the Repatriation Commission and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission.

SANE Helpline: 1800 18 72 63

Lifeline: 131 114

Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636