Darwin soldier’s mother helped spark Prime Minister’s inquiry into veteran suicide

THE mother of a Darwin soldier who took his own life at Robertson Barracks has helped spark the Prime Minister’s inquiry into veteran suicide

Daniel Garforth with his mum, Nikki Jamieson. Picture supplied by family

THE mother of a Darwin soldier who took his own life at Robertson Barracks has helped spark the Prime Minister’s inquiry into veteran suicide.

Scott Morrison revealed on Wednesday that an independent commissioner with the powers of a rolling royal commission would be appointed to investigate veteran suicide.

For defence mums like Nikki Jamieson, whose army private son Daniel Garforth took his own life in 2014, the news was a long time coming.

She said her 21-year-old son was “singled out” and “ridiculed” by some senior officials.

Defence mum Nikki Jamieson, whose son Daniel Garforth took his own life in 2014, at the Save Our Heroes Summit. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“The final straw was when he was on guard duty one night and got a call from a friend on base who was having suicidal thoughts,” she said.

“He’s alerted his commanding officer who told him to get back to duty, and she ended up taking her life.

“He felt like he let her down and took his own life two weeks later.”

His daughter Riliee, 7, has been left to grow up without her father.

Since the loss of her son, Ms Jamieson made it her life’s mission to advocate for more mental health support for military veterans.

“I welcomed the news of a commissioner but I do have a number of concerns about how that will look,” she said.

“Scott Morrison mentioned that the Department of Veterans’ Affairs would be the brainchild behind this new approach and for me that alludes to Defence investigating Defence, which has been a historical issue.

“I question the level of independence and non-bias in the approach.”

Solomon MP and former soldier Luke Gosling has long pushed for a royal commission into veteran suicides.

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“This announcement is years overdue, but it’s better late than never,” he said. “While a full royal commission would have been better, the Government’s announced commissioner for veteran suicide will apparently have the same powers, which is a very important thing.”

If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide, call Lifeline (13 11 14) or the Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467), or see a doctor