RSL backs calls for inquiry into veteran suicides

Scott Morrison has indicated he is open to holding a royal commission into veteran suicides, as RSL Victoria joined calls for an inquiry.

RSL Victoria is calling for a royal commission into defence and veteran suicides, declaring its members have lost trust in institutions supposed to look after those who served their country.

The organisation will write to every Victorian federal MP asking them to support a royal commission.

The Herald Sun has learnt Prime Minister Scott Morrison will not stand in the way of a parliamentary motion calling for a royal commission — even though it’s not his preferred option.

RSL state president Robert Webster, whose members have voted overwhelmingly to call for a royal commission, said it was vital veterans and their families were heard in an independent forum.

RSL Victoria is calling for a royal commission into defence and veteran suicides.

RSL Victoria state president Dr Robert Webster said it was vital veterans and their families were heard in a truly independent forum.

“Our members have lost trust in the institutions responsible for looking after the welfare of serving and ex-serving Australians and only a royal commission can start to ­rebuild that trust,’’ Dr Webster said.

“The suicide statistics for ex-servicemen and women are simply deplorable, especially for those that are forced out of military service due to injury or illness.”

The federal government has proposed a permanent national commissioner to tackle the suicide issue.

But RSL Victoria believes a royal commission should happen first.

“RSL Vic supports the establishment of a National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention,’’ Dr Webster said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison will not stand in the way of a parliamentary motion calling for a royal commission

“But the national commissioner can only start their work at the conclusion of a royal commission.”

The Prime Minister’s legislation to establish a national commissioner to investigate veteran suicides remains stalled in the Senate with pressure mounting on Mr Morrison to call a commission.

The Herald Sun understands he has not ruled out a royal commission being set up alongside a commissioner, his main concern being that the commission alone would not be enough.

A motion noting the suicide rate in veterans was twice that of the general population and calling for a royal commission to closely look at the problems and propose solutions passed the Senate on Thursday.

It had the backing of Labor, the Greens, One Nation and independents Jacqui Lambie and Rex Patrick.