Save Our Heroes: Julie-Ann Finney visits grave of veteran son to tell of suicide commissioner victory
Campaigner Julie-Ann Finney’s first reaction on being told about the appointment of an independent commissioner to investigate veteran suicide was to go to her son’s grave.
NSW
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Grieving mum Julie-Ann Finney put down the phone to PM Scott Morrison and made a late night dash to the cemetery to tell her navy veteran son David Finney, 38, his suicide death, and hundreds of others, would be investigated by an all-powerful new body tasked with saving our heroes.
“I needed to be as close as I could to tell him the news,” she said. “I told David that he mattered.”
Ms Finney had collected almost 300,000 signatures calling for a royal commission since her 38-year-old navy poster-boy son David died a year ago She was backed by The Daily Telegraph’s Save Our Heroes campaign.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison called her ahead of announcing the appointment of a National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention who will have the ongoing rolling power of a royal commission.
“It was amazing when I got the phone call, it overwhelmed me,” she said.
Within half an hour she was at the cemetery for only the second time since she buried her son in South Australia.
She had been waiting for good news.
Hours after the family of Afghanistan veteran Jesse Bird begged a coroner to back a royal commission their pleas were answered.
“Sadly it hasn't been the voice of parliamentary figures who have raised the need for a royal or productivity commission, senate inquiry or coronial hearing,” Mr Bird’s partner Connie Boglis said.
“It has been grieving mothers, partners and families who have honoured the voices of our loved ones passed.”
More than 400 veterans have taken their own lives since 2001. In Canberra yesterday Mr Morrison said veterans were “champions” and “heroes” who leave the military to lead successful lives but that some “struggle”.
Mr Morrison said that every RSL across the country carried a plaque with the words “the price of peace is eternal vigilance”.
“We must be eternally vigilant about the welfare and care of those who’ve served in uniform,” he said.
Townsville-based LNP MP and Afghanistan veteran Phillip Thompson played a key role in drafting the powerful new commissioner’s role, keeping it independent from the Defence Department and with the power to summon witnesses and compel them to produce evidence or face jail.
“This is not a one-off thing that will give a report in 18 months or two years. This is something that will be rolling concurrent and ongoing and I look forward to working with the commissioner,” he said.
But working on it had taken a heavy toll. “It's been an emotional kind of roller coaster for myself and my friends and the family members who had loved ones lost to suicide,” he said.
“I feel every single suicide on my shoulders. I’m here with tears in my eyes and a heavy heart, knowing that this is the right thing to do.”
The proposal was taken to cabinet on Monday night by Veterans Affairs Minister Darren Chester who had in the past steadfastly said he could not “see the point” of a royal commission.
“I firmly believe (this policy) is better than a royal commission,” he said.
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I know it won’t bring back their sons or daughters but I hope these courageous families can take some solace from the fact their voice has been heard and the government is taking practical steps to prevent further suicides.
“There’s no question the feedback received during the Save our Heroes campaign helped to focus the efforts of departments in Canberra who worked closely with my office to develop a policy which I believe will help to save lives in the future.
“I want to thank the Prime Minister for his leadership and The Daily Telegraph for its advocacy on behalf of veterans and their families.”
NSW acting minister for veterans Geoff Lee called for a royal commission at The Daily Telegraph’s Save Our Heroes summit in November. He offered full support for Mr Morrison’s plan.
“One veteran suicide is one too many and we want this permanent National Commissioner to be the pathway for veterans’ families to find answers which are long overdue,” he said.
NSW mental health minister Bronnie Taylor said: “This is a crucial call to action to support our veterans and I’m so passionate about working Towards Zero Suicides which is a priority for our Premier.”
Veterans also welcomed the proposal of a commissioner with the power of a royal commission.
Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia’s most decorated former soldier who was awarded the Victoria Cross and Medal of Gallantry, said: “A rolling commission is a good idea. I am impressed with the considered approach of the Prime Minister, he has taken his time and given us a great outcome.”
Iraq and Afghanistan veteran James Brown, former NSW RSL president, said: “This is better than a royal commission because it is a permanent mandate to range across departments, look at problems and find solutions.
“I hope Defence and DVA will understand that we are at a watershed moment and that business as usual will not cut it anymore,” he said.
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