Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Lambie and Senator Patrick for bringing this motion in. The death by suicide of any Australian Defence Force member or veteran is tragic for the family, for the defence and veteran community and, indeed, for the wider Australian community. The government is committed to taking action to prevent these deaths. The Morrison government will soon establish a new National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention to inquire into the deaths by suicide of former and serving ADF members. Like a royal commission, the national commissioner will have powers to undertake full inquiries into suicides and suspected suicides of former and serving ADF members, identify the issues that may be contributing to those suicides and make recommendations to the government about actions to prevent future suicides. Unlike a royal commission, this will be a permanent and ongoing function. The government will soon announce the national commissioner and pass legislation this year, which will be available for consultation.