Penny Wright (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

To move:

That the Senate—

(a)   notes that:

  (i)   11 November is Remembrance Day, which commemorates the official end of World War I on that date in 1918,

  (ii)   on Remembrance Day we remember those members of Commonwealth armed forces who died in the line of duty in World War I and since, and

  (iii)   since 2000, more Australian soldiers have died as a result of suicide than armed combat overseas;

(b)   recognises:

  (i)   the sacrifice of Australians who have died serving our country,

  (ii)   that death is not the only human toll of war,

  (iii)   that veterans suffer from mental health effects directly related to their experiences serving in conflict zones, and

  (iv)   the mental health effects of conflict reach beyond veterans to their families, who are also affected; and

(c)   calls on the Government to:

  (i)   encourage speaking out about suicide and to continue making suicide prevention a priority, including within the armed forces,

  (ii)   ensure adequate funding for mental health services for veterans and their families,

  (iii)   encourage the armed services to promote and support good mental health practices, and

  (iv)   encourage a culture of openness and understanding about mental health in the Australian military.