Federal Government Responds to Royal Commission Final Report
The Federal Government has released its response to the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
104 of the 122 recommendations from the report have been agreed to by the Federal Government (twenty of which have been agreed to in-principle), one is not supported and the remaining seventeen are under further consideration.
Below are RSL Australia’s and RSL Victoria’s statements on the response, while you can read a full overview of the 122 recommendations along with the complete Federal Government response at the links.
RSL AUSTRALIA STATEMENT:
The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) has welcomed the Australia Government’s positive response to the findings of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
RSL Australia National President Greg Melick said the Government’s prompt and comprehensive response should commence the national effort to improve the health and wellbeing of veterans, current serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members, and their families.
Greg Melick said the decision to establish a new independent statutory entity to oversee enduring and systemic reform had been long called for by the RSL.
“We have advocated that the implementation of the Royal Commission’s recommendations can best be achieved by setting up an independent and enduring entity. This will now be established,” he said.
“On behalf of veterans and Australian Defence Force personnel and their families, we also welcome the Government’s commitment to provide additional funding for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to boost veteran services and to continue consultation on the development of a national ex-service organisation peak body.”
Greg Melick also again thanked the Royal Commissioners who had worked tirelessly over three years to hear from the hundreds of individuals who bravely shared their personal stories, as well as reading thousands of submissions about their lived experiences.
“The RSL is indebted to every individual who shared their story and stands ready to work with the Government to play its part in bringing about meaningful change,” he said.
“Just a little over one week ago, we launched an independent scoping study of the impact on veterans of ADF operations since 2002 particularly in Afghanistan and Iraq.
“This Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) Study represents an initial initiative from the RSL in our aim to bring real and lasting improvements in the services and support provided for veterans and their families and will link into the measures announced by the Government today.
“The Royal Commission shone a light on veteran welfare matters in far more detail than ever before. Past and present ADF personnel have done and do all we ever ask of them, and too many have paid a very high price, including making the ultimate sacrifice. Australia owes them a debt which must now be paid.
“Today’s positive response from the Government represents a crucial and first step in repaying that debt and the RSL calls on the Government to make appropriate provisions in the forthcoming 2024-25 Budget, and over the longer-term to ensure appropriate funding is provided for the full delivery of the Royal Commission’s recommendations,” Greg Melick said.
RSL VICTORIA STATEMENT:
RSL Victoria President Dr Rob Webster has welcomed the Federal Government’s response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide but wants to ensure the momentum continues to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission that are agreed to in-principle or under further consideration.
“RSL Victoria would like to thank the Federal Government for acting swiftly on the Final Report of the Royal Commission to start the process for real change for veterans,” RSL Victoria President Dr Rob Webster said.
“Of absolute importance to veterans is that consideration of the other recommendations continues so they can be implemented alongside what has been agreed to this week.”
“RSL Victoria and Victorian veterans are ready to work alongside the Federal Government to expediate the implementation of all the recommendations.
“The sooner all recommendations are implemented, the healthier and safer our veterans’ community will be.”
Author
RSL Victoria
First established in 1916, RSL Victoria’s primary objectives are to provide support to veterans and their families, acknowledge Australian Defence Force service and perpetuate its patriotic duty whilst encouraging conversation and mateship between those who have served and their communities. A crucial role of the RSL is also to appropriately commemorate those who have suffered and died in service of our nation or its allies.
