Trevor Evans (Brisbane, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management) Share this | Hansard source

In summing up, I thank all honourable members for their contributions to the debate on the National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention Bill 2020 and the National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2020. The government recognises that the death of any Australian Defence Force member or veteran is tragic for their family and is deeply felt by the entire community. The government is strongly committed to addressing the unacceptably high rates of suicide among ADF members and veterans and to supporting our ADF members and veterans during their service, in transitioning from service and in their lives beyond service.

The bills provide for the establishment of the National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention to inquire into and support the prevention of ADF member and veteran deaths by suicide. The national commissioner will have strong inquiry powers which are broadly equivalent to a royal commission. This will enable full inquiries into the circumstances of these tragic deaths, whether past or in the future. Like a royal commission, the national commissioner will be independent from government, being appointed by the Governor-General and having full discretion in the way their inquiries are conducted. Like a royal commission, the national commissioner can make findings and recommendations, including about any policy, legislative or other changes that are needed, and, like a royal commission, the national commissioner will have the power to compel the production of documents and take evidence under oath or affirmation. Like a royal commission, the national commissioner may also summon witnesses and hold public hearings and will have the power to refer potential breaches of law to enforcement bodies.

Unlike a royal commission, the national commissioner will be an enduring institution, with the power to monitor the implementation of recommendations into the future. The national commissioner will provide a report on their findings and recommendations to the parliament each year as well as other reports as they consider necessary. The government will be fully accountable, being required to report to the parliament on actions taken in response to the national commissioner's reports.

Importantly, the national commissioner will also provide an opportunity for families, ADF members and other people affected by ADF and veteran suicide deaths to tell their stories in a safe, supportive and trauma informed environment.

The government is committed to developing the legislation to establish the national commissioner in a consultative manner. A national public and stakeholder consultation process on the bills was conducted following the introduction of the bills on 27 August, until 24 September. Over 90 submissions were provided as part of this process. The valuable feedback that's been received from families, ADF members and veterans, and defence and veterans support organisations and others is being carefully considered and will inform any refinement of the bills during their passage through the parliament.

On 3 September, the bills were referred to the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee. The committee will deliver its report by 30 November. The government welcomes the committee's detailed consideration of this bill and looks forward to considering its findings in due course.

I thank honourable members for their contributions to the debate on these important bills.

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