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.
Had the dead man’s mother not intervened,the promoted officer may have been allowed to stay in the army,the chief of defence told a royal commission.
Chief of Defence Angus Campbell has been questioned at the royal commission over defence’s slow response to suicide.
The former Morrison government has been accused of “failing veterans” by dragging its heels over recommendations to fix major backlogs in compensation claims.
A Coalition member was made to cut more than $430 million from Veterans’ Affairs to offset money allocated in the budget,as the department struggled under a 50,000-strong compensation claims backlog.
An Australian army brigadier who commands about 3000 soldiers has also detailed hazing incidents and the difficulties in personnel trying to get help for mental health.
The hardest part of my job as royal commissioner is asking people to recall the most painful experiences of their lives and helping provide a voice for their loved ones when they can no longer speak. Their stories will help others.