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The federal government has passed a new bill following the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide last year.
The Defence and Veterans’ Service Commissioner Bill 2025 and the Defence and Veterans’ Service Commissioner (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025 was passed through federal Parliament on Tuesday, which the Albanese government said is an “important milestone” in responding to the findings of the royal commission.
The bill, in conjunction with the independent Defence and Veteran Service Commission (DVSC) that was launched last year, will aid in enacting systematic reform to the alarming rates of suicide and adverse mental health conditions Australian veterans and defence service people experience.
Last year, a federal report found that the highest rate of suicide in Australian Defence Force personnel was in ex-serving men at 30.9 per cent, and ex-serving women at 14.8 per cent.
Between 1997 and 2021, there were 1,677 confirmed suicides, which is over 20 times more deaths than the number of personnel killed in combat during the same period.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Matt Keogh said the bill reflects the wider response the government is taking into addressing the findings of the royal commission.
“The government’s response to the recommendations of the royal commission involves the most comprehensive reform ever undertaken to the systems, culture and processes across Defence and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs,” his office said in a press statement.
Of the 122 recommendations that came from the royal commission, Minister Keogh said that the establishment of the DVSC and surrounding legislation was the most “important recommendation”.
“The DVSC looks forward to engaging with everyone who shares our vision of real and sustained positive change for our serving and ex-serving ADF members and their families,” he said back in September 2025.
Senator Jacqui Lambie told ABC Radio National Breakfast that the bill does not accurately reflect some of the serious struggles and ongoing challenges Australian veterans and service people face, such as the fact that historic sexual assault isn’t protected by law for people in uniform when serving overseas.
She said the government is “ignoring our veterans” in their responses.
The Albanese government said it is committed to taking the “most comprehensive reform” to the “systems, culture and processes” within the ADF and veterans affairs.
Serving and former ADF personnel and their families in need of support can contact Open Arms for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on 1800 011 046 or visit www.openarms.gov.au, or Lifeline on 13 11 14 or by visiting www.lifeline.org.au.
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