HEAD OF ROYAL COMMISSION INTO DEFENCE AND VETERAN SUICIDE PRESS CLUB ADDRESS
Written by RSL Victoria
13 September 2023
Earlier today during a National Press Club Address broadcast on the ABC, Nick Kaldas, head of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, declared that the shockingly high rates of veteran and defence suicide was “unquestionably a national crisis.”
After highlighting the essential work undertaken by Ex-Service Organisations, Commissioner Kaldas backed calls for a peak body to be established to oversee the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission and to keep a permanent watch on veteran wellbeing, a body with the power of a Royal Commission itself.
The RSL has previously called for the establishment of a National Office for Defence and Veteran Wellbeing headed by an Independent Commissioner, supported by a cross-organisational advisory group, responsible for overseeing the implementation of the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
Read more about the RSL’s proposal HERE.
Watch Commissioner Kaldas’ address to the National Press Club HERE.
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.
