Addressing Defence and Veteran Suicide Must Remain a National Priority

OPEN LETTER TO PARLIAMENT: ADDRESSING DEFENCE AND VETERAN SUICIDE MUST REMAIN A NATIONAL PRIORITY

Legacy has been dedicated to supporting and caring for the families of our veterans for over 100 years, and our commitment to their wellbeing remains steadfast.

The findings of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide are clear and undeniable. This is the 58th report and the 892nd recommendation and time and time again, the system has failed our veterans and their families. Despite their critical role, many families have not received the recognition and support they need and deserve.

This needs to change. Failure to take action is condoning the tragic loss of three veteran lives to suicide every fortnight.

We strongly urge bipartisan support to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission without delay, particularly the establishment of a new authoritative statutory body to provide the oversight for the delivery of all recommendations contained within the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide report. We support the purpose of this new entity to provide independent oversight and evidence-based advice to drive system reform to improve suicide prevention and wellbeing outcomes for serving and ex-serving ADF members and their families.

This body is essential to ensure that this does not become another set of unrealised recommendations, and its establishment will ensure continued advocacy for the mental and physical wellbeing of those who have served and their families.

We wish to acknowledge the clear evidence contained in this report about the impact of service life on family members of service and ex-service personnel. When a Defence member joins, a family serves. When the Defence member gives their life or health in service to our country, we must provide continuity of care, comfort and support to the family impacted.

The Royal Commission details the critical role of families in supporting serving and ex-serving members to be mentally healthy and resilient. Strong family relationships serve as a protective factor against suicide and suicidality for all family members.

Our support to these families must start in defence and support their journey through Defence, through transition and into community. It is vital the voice of families is well represented in the new entity as proposed in Recommendation 122.

Legacy has witnessed first-hand the immense stressors that service life places on members and their families. The consequences of supporting a loved one experiencing mental ill health, PTSD, trauma, and/or suicidality are profound and long-lasting.

Our priority has always been and will continue to be the wellbeing of veterans’ families. Legacy continues to stand with the ESO and Defence community to be involved in a response that will create lasting change.

The dedication of Mr Nick Kaldas APM, Dr Peggy Brown AO, and The Hon James Douglas KC, the Commissioners of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, in producing this comprehensive report, has brought to light the experiences of veterans and their families. We thank them for their commitment over the last three years.

Most importantly, Legacy would like to thank the partners, mothers, fathers, children and other family members who bravely shared their lived experience and relived their grief to inform the recommendations of the report. We hear you – and we thank you.

Legatee Wayne McNee

Chairman, Legacy Australia

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