Labor in call for suicide solution

ANTHONY Albanese is backing calls for a royal commission into why some veterans are taking their own lives.

The federal Opposition Leader endorsed the public campaign after meeting with Julie-Ann Finney, whose son David died after a battle with PTSD. “We can do better. We must do better. We need a royal commission into veteran suicide,” he said yesterday.

Official figures released last week reveal more than 400 serving and ex-service men and women have taken their own lives since 2001.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare found suicide rates for current and former Defence personnel compared to the rest of the Australian population are higher than ever.

The suicide rate for ex-service men is 18 per cent higher than the broader population and ex-service women are twice as likely to take their own lives as other Australian women.

Mr Albanese described the situation as a tragedy.

“Australia can no longer tolerate this senseless loss of life,” he said. “This is nothing less than a crisis and as a nation, we need to do all we can to tackle this.”

Labor wants the royal commission to hear personal stories from serving and exservice men and women, as well as their families.

It also wants to investigate the Department of Veterans’

Affairs and government spending more broadly.

Mr Albanese wants the commission to examine the transition to civilian life when people leave Defence.

“One death is one too many and we need to act. Labor is calling upon the Government to act,” he said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has not ruled out calling the royal commission. There have been inquiries into veteran

AUSTRALIA CAN NO LONGER TOLERATE THIS SENSELESS LOSS OF LIFE. THIS IS NOTHING LESS THAN A CRISIS.

ANTHONY ALBANESE

suicide in the past, but the number of lives lost continues to climb.

Mr Albanese said the issue required a comprehensive inquiry only possible through a royal commission.

“The Government should make this decision. They should make it today. And we should, as a country, all welcome that announcement because I’m sure it will be welcomed by veterans and their families,” he said.

Support for the royal commission has not been universal.

The RSL has argued the money could be better spent bolstering existing support for veterans.