Plea for Territorians to take part in Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide
Veterans, Defence members and their families are being urged to take part in the Royal Commission’s Darwin hearings this week, with free legal services on offer. Here’s how to participate.
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Free legal advice is being offered to veterans, current Defence members and their families in the NT as a major national inquiry takes place in the Top End this week.
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide kicks off its seven-day public hearings in Darwin on Monday.
In a column for the Sunday Territorian, Chair of the Royal Commission Nick Kaldas said he hoped to hear unique insights from the NT – where around 12,000 serving personnel and their families live – during this week’s hearings.
“Far from interfering, we want to listen and learn from the Defence and veterans community so that we may better understand why current and former members are taking their own lives – and how we can help to fix this tragic problem,” Mr Kaldas said.
“We know that suicide rates are higher among former-serving ADF personnel than the general population.
“In addition, statistics highlight that First Nations people and those living in rural and remote areas are at higher risk of suicide.”
The Defence and Veterans Legal Service is also in the Top End this week to assist veterans, members and their families participate in the hearings.
Jasmine Stanton, a former Navy officer, Army Reservist and now director of the legal service, said it was crucial for the Royal Commission to hear from Territorians.
“Our legal support recognises the enormous sacrifices that military personnel make in the service of their country,” Ms Stanton said.
“Real change can happen when people are empowered to speak up – and that’s why we are in the NT helping current and former ADF members, and their families.
“Our assistance is delivered by lawyers who understand how traumatic experiences can impact on people.
“In line with that, we also connect clients with other services that provide counselling, advocacy and additional legal support.
“There are many ways people can make a submission to the Royal Commission.
“We provide legal advice about their options and about issues such as confidentiality and the protection of their legal rights.
“Our legal help is free and confidential – and it’s completely independent.”
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide handed down its interim report on August 11.
It made a number of recommendations, some of which were recently implemented by the federal government along with an apology.
Mr Kaldas said the Commission has heard accounts of NT veterans waiting more than seven months to see a psychiatrist.
“Some of these issues will be examined during the hearing,” Mr Kaldas said.
“People don’t need to include accounts of suicide or suicidal behaviours to make a valuable contribution.
“We want to hear about matters including recruitment, training, deployment and transition, medical and social supports and the claims process.”
The hearings run from October 18-27 at the Hilton Darwin.
Work is also well under way for a new support services centre for Territory veterans in Stuart Park.
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