New Legislation has been developed establish a new office to address the high rates of suicide among Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and veterans.
Announced by the Attorney-General, Christian Porter, the new laws would create a National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention.
“The National Commissioner will have powers broadly equivalent to a Royal Commission,” Mr Porter said.
“But unlike Royal Commissions which examine issues at a fixed point in time, the National Commissioner will be a permanent office that can continually monitor the implementation of its own recommendations to ensure long-term solutions are delivered, while also being able to examine new issues which may arise over time,” he said.
Mr Porter said the National Commissioner will be “truly independent” and deliver genuine transparency to help uncover the root causes and contributing factors in ADF member and veteran deaths by suicide.
“It will also provide the opportunity for families and those people who have been personally affected by an ADF member or veteran death by suicide to share their story in a safe and supported way,” he said.
Mr Porter said families would be very important to the work of the National Commissioner.
He said feedback on the Bills was invited through a four-week public consultation process and submissions received on the Bills would inform the ongoing refinement of the legislation for consideration by Parliament.
The Attorney-General said the National Commissioner’s primary role would be to inquire into the factors and systemic issues contributing to ADF suicides, and recommend actions and strategies to support the prevention of future suicides.
Further information on the Bills, including how to lodge a submission can be accessed at this PS News link.
If this story raises concern for you, help and counselling is available from Lifeline Australia 13 11 14, and other services.
