Gai Brodtmann (Canberra, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Since I was elected in 2010 I have spent quite a bit of time on the Defence Subcommittee with my colleagues here. We have been researching and inquiring into the mental health of those in the ADF, particularly those soldiers who are returning from deployments overseas. We have had extensive consultations throughout the country, with agencies including the Defence Community Organisation, Defence Families of Australia, RSL and Soldier On—a range of organisations who have highlighted a number of gaps in the system, particularly between DVA and Defence in terms of those agencies talking to each other, in terms of getting a seamless approach to the management of mental health and of those who return injured from deployment overseas.

I have three questions for the minister. The first is, what does the latest research into mental health issues associated with military service show us? Secondly, what is the government doing for the mental health of our current and former service people? Finally, what is the government's estimates of the future numbers of service personnel who have been engaged in operational activities over an extended period who may have mental health problems arising from these activities?

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