The appointment of a National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention has gained the support of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) as part of a plan to address the issue of veteran and Australian Defence Force (ADF) suicide.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, Darren Chester said all Australian Governments were committed to ensuring everything was done to prevent suicide among serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel.
“The agreement by State and Territory leaders to support the establishment of a permanent and independent National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention to inquire into all suspected veteran and ADF suicides is a significant step,” Mr Chester said.
“The mental health and wellbeing of our current and former ADF members is an issue of national and enduring importance, and only by working together can we make meaningful change.”
He said leaders at a recent COAG meeting had asked the Council of Attorneys-General to finalise arrangements for the Commissioner position, in consultation with Chief Coroners.
“The National Commissioner will have the enduring powers and resources, formalised by terms of reference, to investigate suicides and related issues as they arise in the future, and also to review past cases,” Mr Chester said.
“The Commissioner will be supported by the ability to conduct public hearings, receive submissions, and include families in the process should they wish.”
He said these would be ongoing powers not restricted to a one-off inquiry as would be the case with a Royal Commission.
