SHOTS FIRED: Labor MP takes aim at PM’s Veteran Commissioner role
Labor’s Shadow Minister for Veteran’s Affairs and Defence Personnel has penned a scathing review of the National Commissioner role, a year on from its announcement.
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LABOR’S Shadow Minister for Veteran’s Affairs and Defence Personnel has penned a scathing review of the National Commissioner role, a year on from its announcement.
After years of campaigning for veteran suicide rates to be addressed, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the creation of a permanent national commissioner to investigate suicides among Defence Force personnel and veterans on February 06, 2020.
An initial investment of $40 million was set aside for the office, which was designed to hold the powers of a standing royal commission.
The commissioner – which is yet to be legislated – will be able to investigate individual cases of suspected and attempted suicide of current or former ADF members and make recommendations to support suicide prevention and improve mental health and wellbeing.
Dr Bernadette Boss was appointed as interim commissioner in October, with her first job to review more than 400 known veteran suicide cases dating back to 2001.
Shadow Minister for Veteran’s Affairs and Defence Personnel Shayne Neumann said a Royal Commission was needed.
“Since then, veterans and families have realised this was always just a marketing exercise by Scott Morrison designed to placate them and avoid a proper investigation,” Mr Neumann said.
“The overwhelming feedback from veterans, families, advocates, lawyers and mental health experts is that the National Commissioner won’t have the independence, scope or resources to ask the really hard questions only a Royal Commission can.
“This is why Labor and crossbench Senators lined up to oppose the National Commissioner legislation in December and the Government had to withdraw it because they could not get the numbers to pass it in the Senate.”
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Mr Neumann took aim at the interim Commissioner’s ‘tax payer funded tour of the nation to hold a series of closed door meetings with veterans ESOs (external service organisations), first revealed by the Townsville Bulletin.
“The meetings have been so secret even Government MPs were not told – the LNP Member for Herbert and veteran Phillip Thompson revealed he did not know Dr Boss had visited Townsville, in his electorate, and he, veterans and families were upset they were not invited,” Mr Neumann said.
“Meanwhile, the problem keeps getting worse with reports of a spike in defence and veteran suicides over the last few months and thousands of Australians joining Labor in calling for a Royal Commission.
“It is clear we need a fully independent, open and transparent investigation into defence and veteran suicides to shine a light on the issue, and deliver justice for veterans and their families.
“The Liberals and Nationals should swallow their pride, abandon their flawed and failed National Commissioner and establish a Royal Commission.”
Originally published as SHOTS FIRED: Labor MP takes aim at PM’s Veteran Commissioner role
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