Queen Dunbar says the grief “never leaves” her when she thinks about her late soldier husband.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh has apologised to the defence community for the barriers faced by veterans seeking support as he handed down the government’s response to the interim report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
The interim recommendations from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide focus on process and administration rather than supporting the families at the heart of the system.
Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh says it’s clear something is not working in his department and Defence given the serious issues facing many people transitioning out of active service.
Not enough is being done to help the 6000 defence force veterans each year,many still in their 20s,who face the challenge of adjusting to civilian life.
An interim report from the royal commission into defence and veteran suicide is expected to focus on the backlog of compensation claims the government is dealing with.
The tearful senator called for urgent changes to how veterans’ claims for compensation are handled and revealed details of her own struggles.
The Australian War Memorial is being rebuilt for $498 million,but the Veterans’ Affairs Department,unable to cope with suicides,was stripped of $430 million.
Commissioners at the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide say there have been difficulties pinning down whether the dozens of alleged abusers have been dealt with.
Nothing focuses military minds like the prospect of war. Given the geopolitical unrest,the ADF’s reshuffled leadership will have to consider that eventuality.
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has been told an abuse taskforce had to intervene on behalf of complainants.