Veteran says footy players better protected against brain injuries than soldiers are

Liberal MP and Afghanistan veteran Phillip Thompson has accused Defence of lagging behind the major sporting codes in protecting personnel from serious brain injuries.

Liberal MP and veteran Phillip Thompson, whose seat of Herbert includes the garrison city of Townsville. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Liberal MP and Afghanistan veteran Phillip Thompson has accused Defence of lagging behind the major sporting codes in protecting personnel from serious brain injuries, and lashed “armchair generals” and political leaders for failing to address blast-related harm.

Mr Thompson, who suffered a traumatic brain injury from an improvised explosive device during his service, said despite the well-known risks to soldiers’ brains from using heavy weapons, Defence had failed to track individuals’ blast exposure or ensure critical research was undertaken.

The federal Herbert MP, whose electorate includes the garrison city of Townsville, said Defence’s slowness in addressing the problem stood in stark contrast with the nation’s football codes, which had implemented strict concussion protocols amid concerns about the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Phillip Thompson in Afghanistan, where he was injured by an improvised explosive device. Picture: Phillip Thompson/X

Mr Thompson pointed to Defence’s failure to introduce sensors to measure soldiers’ exposure to so-called blast overpressure, which is known to cause mild traumatic brain injuries (mTB).

“That blast overpressure that you’re continually exposed to, it isn’t monitored. It wasn’t monitored when I was in, it isn’t monitored now,” he told The Australian.

“It’s pretty disgraceful to think that sporting players can get all this research and support but the people who put on the uniform – our bravest who put themselves in harm’s way – can’t get the support, research and help they need for exposure to blast overpressure injuries.”

Liberal MP Phillip Thompson with wife, Jenna, and daughters, Astin and Emery. Picture: Instagram

Mr Thompson said soldiers who fired heavy weapons, such as the 84mm Carl Gustav rocket launcher, could experience a headache-inducing “brain rattle” that needed to be tracked.

“This is the problem when you’ve got armchair generals and political leadership that are based out of Canberra that have no idea about how this works,” he said.

“And then we wonder why we’re getting people with these blast overpressure injuries, as well as concussion injuries. It’s because they’re not talking to the people who are the end users.”

Mr Thompson’s comments came as the RSL revealed it would fund its own research on blast-induced brain injuries, pledging $550,000 towards a new longitudinal study of veterans.

“Our biggest concern is there is insufficient objective evidence and insufficient recording of exposure to such (mTBI) incidents,” RSL president Greg Melick said.

An Australian Army soldier from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment fires the 84mm Carl Gustav at the Townsville Field Training Area. Picture: Defence

While there has been substantial research in the US that mTBI from blast pressure waves can cause serious brain damage and elevated suicide risk, funding cuts undermined a previous study of brain injuries in up to 500 Australian veterans.

A 2012 study to monitor troops’ exposure to “blast overpressure” also went nowhere, while a project to develop wearable sensors and risk-mitigating software was dumped after the Albanese government came to office.

Defence recently embarked on another pilot monitoring project to assess blast overpressure exposure for a small number of commandos, who will also undergo cognitive testing.

A Defence spokesman said its health guidelines on blast overpressure risks had also been updated in August 2023, but declined to release them.

“Defence takes workplace safety and hazards seriously, and takes preventative action to support the ongoing health of our personnel,” the spokesman said.

“Risk mitigation policies include changing or substituting with an alternate activity to reduce exposure; engineering controls such as closing hatches or placing barriers between participants and blasts; limiting proximity to blasts; use of personal protective equipment; and training and education on the health effects of exposure and the importance of controlling exposure.”

An Australian Army soldier from the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, fires a Javelin FGM-148 guided missile during Exercise Kapyong Warrior at the Townsville Field Training Area. Picture: Defence

Defence was also working with the US and other key partners on measuring low-level blast exposure and ensuring follow-up assessments for those affected, he said.

Mr Thompson said the government needed to ensure long-term research was undertaken to ensure veterans “can live happy and fulfilled lives”.

“But there’s an old saying that, ‘When you’re in you’re a guest, when you’re out you’re a pest’,” he said.

Mr Thompson said his own experience in getting help as a 21-year-old veteran with a brain injury was “woeful”.

“It wasn’t easy to navigate,” he said.

“When you’re in the ADF there’s some support when symptoms happen, but when you’re out, it’s extremely tough to know where to go to get the support and get the help you need.”

If you or a family member need help, contact: Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467; Lifeline Australia 13 11 14; Open Arms 1800 011 046; Defence All-hours Support Line 1800 628 036