One year since suicide Royal Commission report

One year on since the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide handed down its final report, the Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) says it has received assurances that the government is making strong progress on the implementation of recommendations.

The RSL is continuing to advocate for the implementation of all recommendations and is working closely with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) on key issue arising from the Royal Commission’s report.

RSL National President Greg Melick has received a progress briefing from the Head of PM&C’s Implementation Taskforce, Tony Sheehan, and has had discussions with the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh on how the RSL can support the implementation program.

Mr Sheehan also briefed the RSL’s National Veterans’ Affairs Committee and advised that the taskforce was currently addressing key recommendations including the establishment of Wellbeing Agency, an ex-service-organisation peak body, the Defence and Veterans Services Commission, and the issue of sexual misconduct in the Defence Forces, particularly the recommendation to establish an independent inquiry into sexual misconduct.

PM&C’s Taskforce’s role is to advise the government on the implementation of the Royal Commission’s recommendations and it reports directly to the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs.

The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide handed down its report on 9 September 2024 and, in December, the government announced that it agreed or agreed-in-principle to 104 of the 122 recommendations, noted 17 recommendations for further consideration, but that it did not support in part, one recommendation regarding a service compensation differential.

“We welcomed the government’s initial prompt and comprehensive response to the Royal Commission’s findings as a crucial and first step and called for all recommendations to be accepted,” Greg Melick said.

“The RSL is aware that considerable work is being done by the taskforce and within the Departments of Veterans’ Affairs and Defence to progress the recommendations.

“We realise that dealing with the recommendations requires a co-ordinated approach, but veterans would like to see evidence of positive action as soon as possible.

“We are advised that there is strong commitment to the Royal Commission outcomes at the highest level of government, including in DVA, Defence and the respective ministers.”

Greg Melick said RSL members and veterans looked forward to hearing the minister report on the implementation progress to date in the near future.

“As well, we encouraged the taskforce to visit our State-branches and wellbeing hubs to better understand the complexities of service delivery to veterans.

“We will also provide the task force with the findings of our current Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) Scoping Study, the first phase of a major two-stage study to research the impacts on veterans and their families as a result of Australian Defence Force service since 2002.

“The first draft of the study report is now complete and the RSL Australia Board and Stakeholder Group are reviewing this and considering the next steps.

“RSL will continue to work with the taskforce, DVA and others and is committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure the implementation of the recommendations leads to change that will strengthen the health and wellbeing of veterans, service personnel and their families.

“Our veterans and current ADF personnel have done and do all we ever ask of them, and too many have paid a very high price, including making the ultimate sacrifice.

“Australia owes them a debt which must now be paid.

“The RSL, as Australia’s largest ex-service organisation, is determined to continue its advocacy to gain the best outcomes for veterans, ADF personnel and their families,” Greg Melick said.

 

 

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