The Albanese Government has today released its response to the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, setting out a plan for real, meaningful and enduring reform for Defence personnel, veterans and families.
The Royal Commission was the most significant and comprehensive inquiry conducted into suicide and suicidality in Defence and veteran communities. It heard harrowing evidence about the cultural problems within the Australian Defence Force (ADF) over time and identified deficiencies with the approach, services and support of the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA).
The Albanese Government has accepted the overwhelming majority of the Royal Commission's 122 recommendations: agreeing or agreeing-in-principle to 104 recommendations, noting 17 recommendations for further consideration and one recommendation is not supported in part.
Implementing this response will result in the most comprehensive reform ever undertaken to the culture, systems and processes across Defence, the ADF and DVA to prevent suicide and improve mental health and wellbeing of serving personnel and veterans.
Consistent with key recommendations of the Royal Commission, the Government will:
- Establish a new statutory entity to oversee enduring and systemic reform. This entity will provide independent oversight and evidence-based advice to improve suicide prevention, and drive better outcomes for serving and ex-serving ADF personnel.
- An interim head will be appointed as soon as possible to work across government towards the establishment of a legislated oversight body by September 2025.
- Establish a Taskforce in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet which will draw in expertise from across Government as well as external experts to consider matters of detailed implementation.
- Direct DVA to co-design, with the veteran community, a new agency focused on wellbeing to be established within DVA. This body will be focused on consultation and co-design with Defence and veteran communities, and their families, to ensure the agency meets their needs.
- Fund DVA to continue consultation on the development of a national ex-service organisation peak body.
These reforms will be rolled out together with the implementation of the National Defence Strategy, to ensure that Defence's most important capability - its people - receive the support and services they deserve as they work to keep Australians safe.
Work already underway
In August 2022, the Royal Commission's Interim Report was delivered to Government, and we took swift action on all of its recommendations.
The reforms set out today build on the work already completed in response to the Interim Report, as well as the extensive work across Defence and DVA that commenced from the moment the Albanese Government took office, including:
- Fully funding the Government's response to the Royal Commission's Interim Report, including $233.9 million to engage 500 new frontline staff at DVA to eliminate the compensation claims backlog, delivering on a key election commitment made by the Government.
- Undertaking extensive consultation to develop legislation to simplify and harmonise the veteran compensation system. Legislation was introduced to the Parliament 3 July 2024.
- Investing $254.1 million over four years to modernise and sustain DVA's ageing IT systems to ensure more timely payments and better access to services for veterans and families.
- In June 2023, the Government appointed the first three star Chief of Personnel who reports directly to the Chief of the Defence Force to drive systemic reform across the ADF.
- Expanding and improving allowances, conditions of services and entitlements for serving ADF personnel and their families.
- Investing more than $600 million to implement the 2024 Defence Workforce Plan and grow the ADF to deliver an integrated, focused force.
The implementation of the Government's response to the Final Report of the Royal Commission will see the most comprehensive reform to the systems, processes and culture supporting Defence personnel and veterans ever undertaken in Australia.
Whilst this is a large and complex task, these reforms will ensure those who pursue a career in the ADF are supported from the time they join, throughout transition and in life after service.
The establishment of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide would not have occurred without those families who have lost loved ones, and advocates such as Senator Lambie. The Government thanks all those who bravely came forward to share their stories and give evidence to the Royal Commission. Their courage has made an enormous difference.
The Government's full response to the Royal Commission is available on the Defence and DVA websites.
Quotes attributable to Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese:
"We have lost too many lives, and every single one is heartbreaking. Today I want to acknowledge every family and friend grieving the loss of a loved one.
"We called for this Royal Commission in Opposition and we supported it in Government.
"Today's response to the Final Report of the Royal Commission is an historic opportunity to deliver lasting reform and support our Defence personnel, veterans and their families."
Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:
"The death by suicide of any Australian, including veterans and serving Defence personnel, is a national tragedy. Implementing the Royal Commission's recommendations is not a simple task, but it is essential.
"The Albanese Government's Response to the Final Report of the Royal Commission is our plan for systemic and enduring reform to make sure we are supporting our Defence and veteran communities."
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel, Matt Keogh:
"We thank all those who came forward and bravely told their story to the Royal Commission. Your courage and the Royal Commission's work directs the necessary change needed to save lives.
"The Government's response to the Royal Commission will deliver changes in Defence and DVA that will improve the lives of serving personnel, veterans and families today and into the future."
NOTE ON REPORTING
Discussion of the issues covered in the Government's Response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide may be distressing for some people.
All serving and former ADF personnel and their families should know that if they need support they 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.
