Submissions sought for vets Royal Commission
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Darren Chester says it is vital that there be wide ranging inputs into terms of reference for the Federal government’s Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
Warragul RSL sub-branch will lodge a submission prepared by former president Bill Westhead.
President Ben Vahland said mental health problems were real among the local veteran community.
He said it was particularly prevalent with people transitioning from the defence services to civilian life with about six people over the past 18 months requiring intensive support.
But it also extended back to the Vietnam War era whose ex-service personnel were now aged in their 70s.
Broad themes for the consultation about the terms of reference have just been released and are available on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website.
Mr Chester said any member of the community and organisations as well as defence and veteran support services are encouraged to provide feedback.
The Attorney General’s Department will lead the final drafting.
Mr Chester said he would be consulting the public to ensure the Royal Commission was focused and based on the experiences and perspectives of those impacted by defence and veteran suicide.
He will also ask his counterparts in states and territory governments to help in the consultation process.
People can submit their views by email to royalcommission@dva.gov.au
Mr Chester said important that the Royal Commission starts promptly and set a path for better understanding of suicide in the serving and ex-serving communities and continue to improve support available to them and their families.
“Especially when and where it is needed for those that are vulnerable or at risk”.
The Royal Commission is a chance to unite the veteran community and build on other measures in place to support them and their families, Mr Chester said, adding that its findings will provide the foundation for future work of the national Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention.
He pointed out the government was allocating $11.5 billion this year to enable the DVA to do its work, but the system wasn’t perfect and there was the opportunity to identify any weaknesses and implement changes to help save lives.
Support for veterans and their families is available free of charge through the Open Arms counselling service on 1800 011 046 or Safe Zone Support on 1800 142 072.