Remembrance Day: Jeff Kennett says declare war on veteran suicides

Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett says it is the nation’s duty to care for returning service men and women.

Malcolm Turnbull at the Remembrance Day National Ceremony 2016 at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Picture Kym Smith

Australia must “declare war” on veterans killing themselves, former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett and founder of Beyondblue has declared, saying it is the nation’s “duty” to care for service men and women when they return home.

In a Remembrance Day speech at the Australian War Memorial, Mr Kennett said he had asked himself why a “grateful” nation like ours had let so many defence force personnel and veterans down who, on surviving the “brutality and conflicts of war”, took their own lives at home.

Beyond Blue chief Jeff Kennett.

“Why is it that we as a nation have not been able to provide sufficient health and services that might have prevented all or some of the suicides of our armed forces personnel? Just this year alone, more military personnel and veterans have died by their own hands on Australian soil. They’ve lost their lives during the 13 years of Australia’s involvement in the Afghan conflict,” Mr Kennett said.

He urged veterans to “mobilise again” and help destigmatise mental illness within the defence community.

“We need you to step up once more, speak about your journey and help others. Talking about suicide does not make it happen And could well save a life,” Mr Kennett said.

“More must be done urgently to address this trend. We may not prevent all such deaths but we should be able to prevent most.

“We must declare war on veterans’ suicide. This has to be a zero tolerance campaign.”

Politicians at the AWM ceremony included Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Defence Minister Marise Payne and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Dan Tehan.

Governor-General Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove also attended.

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