News and Media

Statement from Commissioners Nick Kaldas APM, Dr Peggy Brown AO and James Douglas KC.

The Chair of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide says reforms to improve mental health outcomes for ADF members are progressing too slowly and may not be successful.

The public hearing of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide will inquire into past Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) initiatives to reduce claim times, Defence’s management of organisational change and veterans’ mental health, when it continues in Adelaide this week.

The Chair of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide said the inquiry continues to uncover evidence that raises “serious questions” about what is being done to prevent past and present Australian Defence Force personnel taking their lives. The inquiry’s tenth public hearing, which began in Adelaide today (Monday 17 July), will focus on safe workplaces – and examine how aspects of military life, such as leadership, postings and promotions, deployment and career management, can impact the mental health and wellbeing of ADF members, and their families.

The impact of postings and relocation on the wellbeing of current and ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and their families will be examined at a public hearing of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, which begins tomorrow (Monday 17 July) in Adelaide.

The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has arrived in Adelaide, with Commissioners and staff to meet local serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members ahead of a public hearing which starts next week (Monday 17 July).

The Chair of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide says senior leaders in Defence must adopt a more urgent approach to addressing suicide within their ranks.

The health and wellbeing of navy personnel at Fleet Base West, near Perth, will come into focus as the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s ninth public hearing resumes today (Monday 22 May 2023).

The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has heard addressing entrenched issues impacting the mental health and wellbeing of ADF members is fundamental to Australia’s future defence capability.

Leadership and accountability among senior Defence personnel will be examined at a public hearing of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, which begins today (Tuesday 16 May) in Perth.