Royal Commission raises 'serious questions' about Defence action to prevent suicide

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.

In his opening address, Commissioner Nick Kaldas said protecting the mental health and wellbeing of serving and ex-serving Defence personnel must be prioritised.

"We've heard many contemporary examples of our sailors, soldiers and aviators doing it tough, not just historical accounts – raising serious questions about what the ADF is doing to address the occupational stressors influencing the mental health and wellbeing of its people, as well as their families," Commissioner Kaldas said.

Commissioner Kaldas said Australia's defence capability, primarily, comes from the brave men and women who pull on the uniform of our Navy, Army and Air Force and go to work each day to protect us.

"Each and every one of us has a duty to ensure that Government, Defence and other agencies truly protects the mental health and wellbeing of our veterans. For far too long that hasn't been the case – and it has undoubtedly cost, and continues to cost, many lives," he said.

"The hundreds of billions of dollars to be invested in technically-advanced nuclear-powered submarines, aircraft, weapons and other hardware to defend Australia and its national interests, as part of the Defence Strategic Review, will count for nothing if the ADF struggles to recruit and retain a resilient, psychologically-safe workforce."

Meanwhile, in line with the inquiry's terms of reference, the Commissioners have now visited all Australi's 'Five Eyes' partners – Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States – hearing firsthand how they're responding to similar challenges among their veteran populations.

Last month, Commissioners travelled to the US where they met with more than 100 representatives from government, the military, academia, veterans' groups and charitable organisations.

"While we have sought to learn from our closest allies about how they're tackling these issues, we also know they're watching with keen interest the outcome of this Royal Commission – and the recommendations we put forward to address the entrenched cultural and systemic issues which are failing our serving and ex-serving members," Commissioner Kaldas told the Adelaide hearing.

Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission, Lonya Sheptooha, said the hearing will explore issues impacting past and present ADF members at a national level – but also examine local issues affecting the more than 100,000 South Australia-based veterans, which includes approximately 6,000 current servicemen and women.

"That concentration of current and former service personnel in South Australia – and their families ­– provides this Royal Commission with a valuable opportunity to continue its examination of the systemic issues and contributing risk factors relevant to defence and veteran suicide," Mr Sheptooha told the hearing.

The Royal Commission was established in July 2021 to examine the alarming rates of suicide and suicidality among Australia’s military community.

During the past two years, the inquiry has received more than 3,800 submissions and heard from 257 witnesses at nine public hearings in Brisbane, Sydney (two), Canberra, Townsville, Hobart, Darwin, Wagga Wagga and Perth.

The eight-day Adelaide hearing will conclude on Wednesday 26 July 2023.