The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide concluded with the delivery of its Final Report on 9 September 2024. All enquiries should now be directed to the Attorney-General's Department. See the contact page for more information.

For information about Defence and veteran support services, please see our crisis support information.

Final public hearing before interim report: Royal Commission acknowledges bravery of lived experience witnesses

The Chair of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, Nick Kaldas thanked current and ex-serving Defence members and their families for sharing their experiences of military life at a public hearing in Hobart.

The accounts from lived experience witnesses including Senator Jacqui Lambie, Gavin Tunstall, Madonna Paul, William McCann and anonymised witness HO1 will inform the ongoing inquiry into systemic issues associated with suicide and suicidality in the Australian Defence Force.

Commission Chair Nick Kaldas said the "courage and bravery in sharing such personal accounts in a public forum cannot be overstated."

"We can't pretend to know how difficult and traumatic the process can be," Commissioner Kaldas said.

"But we are incredibly grateful for your strength. Please know your stories are invaluable to the progress of this inquiry."

The seven-day hearing also heard from Commonwealth, State and expert witnesses about Defence recruitment, suicide prevention, PTSD and trauma, and the impact of service and suicidality on families.

Interim Report 11 August 2022

The Commissioners will tomorrow deliver the Interim Report to the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret'd) in Canberra.

Pool arrangements (PICFAC only) are in place for the event.

Digital copies of the report will be available through links on our website as soon as the report is tabled, and hard copies can also be ordered free of charge.

The Royal Commission is mindful that some of the themes in the report will be distressing for Defence and veteran communities and families, particularly those choosing to give evidence before the Commission and those who have a specific interest in our work.

Media covering the Commission or the Interim Report are urged to follow the Mindframe guidelines for reporting on suicide.

The next hearing of the Royal Commission will be in Darwin, beginning the week of the 17th of October.