Llew O'Brien (Wide Bay, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This Friday the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide will begin, shedding light on the ingrained problems in how Australia cares for our Defence personnel. For many veterans and their families, giving evidence will be a distressing time. I welcome the legal and financial assistance scheme for those called as witnesses, as well as counselling and support for those digging deep to find the courage to speak. Thank you to the groups and individuals who have made more than 555 submissions to the commission.

While the royal commission will provide an interim report next August and a final report in June 2023, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Andrew Gee, has given me his word that he will not wait for the final report and will get cracking on change immediately. This is a moment that our veterans worked for and that I advocated for and was prepared to cross the floor for. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare statistics show 1,062 veterans and 211 serving Defence Force personnel took their own life between 2001 and 2019. The systemic issue behind this mental health crisis will be examined. It's time to have your voices heard, and I know that we are listening.