UPDATE: The federal government has announced significant changes to the Defence system, just one year after the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide released its findings. These urgent reforms aim to improve the wellbeing of military personnel and veterans, address military sexual misconduct, and enhance the military justice system.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh is set to deliver a critical update to Parliament on Thursday, October 12, 2023, detailing the progress made since the final report was issued in September 2022. The government has agreed or agreed in principle to 104 recommendations, with nine already implemented and further work ongoing on an additional 110 recommendations.
The newly established Defence and Veterans’ Service Commission is a pivotal element of this overhaul, legislated within three months of the government’s response to the Royal Commission. It will be operational by the end of this month, with recruitment for a commissioner already underway. The government plans to announce operational funding over the next four years.
In a move to enhance support for veterans, a comprehensive Defence and Veteran Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy will also be released on Thursday. Additionally, a new website featuring AI tools will provide crucial information to veterans seeking assistance.
Keogh emphasized the importance of these changes, stating, “For too long, this was not the reality.” He noted that 67,300 ADF personnel have received mental health and suicide awareness training. The government has updated sexual misconduct policies, including new guidance for leaders regarding interactions with the Joint Military Police Unit.
The reforms also include an interim directive to suspend or involuntarily separate ADF members accused of serious misconduct and a taskforce to conduct independent research into the prevalence of military sexual trauma. Furthermore, a Military Justice Assurance Branch has been established within Defence to oversee these initiatives.
In his upcoming address, Keogh will highlight the need for a service environment where personnel and their families feel secure and supported. “They should be safe in the knowledge that whatever may befall them in service, they and their families will be properly looked after,” he will assert.
These reforms stem from the Royal Commission’s findings, which revealed a “toxic” culture and a “broken” system that failed to adequately support Australian Defence personnel. Thousands of current and former Defence members and their families shared their experiences, prompting these urgent changes.
As these reforms roll out, the government will continue to focus on ensuring the mental health and wellbeing of the Defence and veteran community, reinforcing the commitment to support those who serve the nation.
Stay tuned for Keogh’s address this Thursday, as these developments are crucial for the future of the Australian Defence Force and its personnel.
