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Additional support has been announced for face-to-face private sessions assisting the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
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An “assistant commissioner” has been authorised to conduct trauma informed and less formal private sessions with individuals sharing personal experiences, under new laws passed by Parliament on 14 September.
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, started in July 2021, has so far carried out 535 private sessions with another 400 remaining before the commission reports.
Previously, only a commissioner can hold a private session under the Royal Commissions Amendment (Private Sessions) Act 2023, and the new change will apply to all future royal commissions.
The additional support, staffed by a suitably qualified, experienced, and appropriately senior staff Defence member, is hoped to assist the Veteran Suicide Royal Commission complete its tasks before the reporting date on 17 June 2024.
Former NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Nick Kaldas, the head of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, addressed the National Press Club in the ACT earlier this month regarding progress on the findings.
“We’ve made a conscious decision to speak out at the moment because we’re at a point where we feel that the issues we’ve uncovered have not been noticed, absorbed; people have not been that interested in them,” he said on 13 September.
“One of the things that must happen for things to improve is that there must be more interest, both from the public and, I have to say, the media, on these issues, and when reporting begins then people begin to notice. And certainly, politicians take notice as well.”
Speaking to media after the event, he claimed public interest immunity, parliamentary privilege, cabinet in confidence evasions had been used to prevent the royal commission accessing documents.
The Australian federal government has also announced plans to develop a new Defence and Veteran Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy to improve wellbeing of Defence personnel, veterans, and families.
Help is available for veterans and families in crisis with support at the following agencies:
Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling provides 24/7 free confidential crisis support for current and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families on 1800 011 046 or openarms.gov.au.
Safe Zone Support provides anonymous counselling on 1800 142 072.
Defence All-Hours Support Line provides support for ADF personnel on 1800 628 036 or defence.gov.au/health/healthportal.
Defence Member and Family Helpline provides support for Defence families on 1800 624 608.
