Shocking veteran suicides can no longer be ignored

With a permanent independent body to oversee the cultural and systemic changes needed to address the suicide rate among Defence personnel, the issue can never be ignored again.

With a permanent and independent body to oversee the cultural and systemic changes needed to address the horror rates of suicide among Defence personnel and veterans, the issue can never be ignored again.

Of the 122 recommendations from the royal commission into Defence and veteran suicide, it is the federal government’s acceptance of the very last one that is key to ensuring the rest are actually implemented and enforced.

After spending more than three years listening to the harrowing accounts of veterans, Defence personnel and their families, the commissioners wanted to make sure those contributions were not in vain.

A new permanent body will ensure the royal commission recommendations are not forgotten.

In asking the government to establish a new statutory entity to “oversee system reform across the whole Defence ecosystem,” they have ensured that unlike the past inquiries, reviews and reports, the work of the royal commission will not be so easily forgotten.

That the Albanese Government has not only agreed to legislate the new body by September next year, but will also appoint an interim head “as soon as possible” to get work started, is a significant step in the right direction.

It means this government, and those that follow, will be held to account from day one.

Deeply ingrained cultural problems within the Australian Defence Force, and systemic failures both during service and in the rightly-maligned Department of Veterans Affairs have contributed to the unacceptably high rates of suicide among current and former personnel.

The royal commissioners spared no-one in their scathing final report, and went into considerable detail recommending exactly what should be done to fix the culture, processes and ultimately save lives.

The new independent body will be a constant champion when it comes to ensuring action on issues like an independent inquiry into sexual misconduct in the military, helping Defence personnel transition to civilian life, slashing compensation claim red tape and addressing problematic culture right up to leadership level.

It can also elevate issues the government is perceived to be ignoring or avoiding.

The Coalition has already raised concerns about the government only “noting” the recommendation to establish a brain injury program — should the independent body make this issue a priority, Labor would have to go further.

Ultimately the key metric for government will be in the data – Australia must reduce the shocking rates of suicide among veterans and ADF personnel – and with permanent oversight there is a much greater chance of success.

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Originally published as Shocking veteran suicides can no longer be ignored