BREAKING: The Australian government is set to reveal troubling progress on the implementation of recommendations from a royal commission into defence and veteran suicides, with only a fraction of over 100 recommendations addressed. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Matt Keogh will present these findings in parliament on Thursday, October 5, 2023, nearly a year after the inquiry’s final report was handed down.
According to reports, just nine recommendations have been fully implemented, with work ongoing on a staggering 110 others. This alarming update underscores the urgent need for reform as 1,677 serving and former defence personnel tragically died by suicide between 1997 and 2021, over 20 times the number of those killed in active duty during the same period.
Keogh is expected to emphasize the government’s commitment to supporting Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and their families, stating, “We want Australians to be attracted to serving our nation in our Australian Defence Force, and confident that they and their families will be well supported by their leaders, their mates and the broader Defence organisation.”
The Labor government accepted the majority of the 122 recommendations proposed in the report back in December. A newly established task force identified four priority areas for reform, including the creation of the Defence and Veterans’ Service Commission and addressing the pressing issue of military sexual misconduct. This commission, which will operate with a budget of $44.5 million over four years, aims to facilitate the implementation of other recommendations and is set to become operational by the end of September 2023, pending the appointment of a commissioner.
Despite ongoing efforts, military sexual misconduct remains a “systemic” issue within the ADF. As part of the reform, the government has agreed to launch a standalone inquiry, although no specific timeline has been established for its commencement. Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston previously issued an interim directive in November 2022, mandating that serious misconduct be considered when making decisions regarding the suspension or dismissal of military personnel.
Legislation is expected soon that will allow for the expulsion of defence force members convicted of sexual crimes, reinforcing the government’s commitment to addressing these critical issues. Work is also underway to ensure that troops convicted of serious crimes during their service receive a civilian criminal record, necessitating collaboration between civil agencies and government departments to integrate these records into the national police reference system.
Following the royal commission, an independent inquiry led by the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force commenced in 2024, investigating allegations that the military justice system had been “weaponised” to harm personnel. Keogh is set to highlight the findings of this inquiry, which uncovered “systems that were frankly broken, of culture that was toxic, and that simply not enough was being done to support our Aussie personnel in and following service.”
The urgency of these developments cannot be overstated, as the nation grapples with the devastating impact of suicide among its service members. For those in crisis, support is available through Lifeline at 13 11 14 and Open Arms at 1800 011 046.
As the government prepares to deliver its report, Australians are left wondering how much longer it will take to achieve meaningful progress in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of those who serve. Stay tuned for further updates on this critical issue.
