The Hon Matt Keogh MP
Minister for Veterans' Affairs
Minister for Defence Personnel
The Australian Government welcomes the independent Defence and Veterans’ Service Commission’s (DVSC) report into the Government’s implementation of some recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s Interim Report.
The Royal Commission identified 13 recommendations for urgent action in their Interim Report.
In their “Access to Information Inquiry Report” the DVSC has evaluated 5 of the recommendations, all relating to access to information for Defence members, veterans and families.
The DVSC has found significant progress has been taken in a timely way to improve the process to access information from Defence and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA).
This progress includes the establishment of trauma informed Information Access Units and internal evaluation of Royal Commission implementation.
The DVSC identified a need to establish a framework for assessing the effectiveness of implemented recommendations review the measures implemented to date, in order to evaluate their success and provide further improvement.
Providing insight on how recommendation implementation can be further enhanced to get the best outcomes is why the Royal Commission recommended the DVSC be established.
The Australian Government thanks the DVSC for their important work providing oversight and advice on the implementation of the Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, as we all work together to prevent suicide and improve the wellbeing of current and former serving Defence Force Members and their families.
Media Contact:
Stephanie Mathews (Minister Keogh’s Office): 0407 034 485
Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling provides 24/7 free confidential crisis support for current and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families on 1800 011 046 or the Open Arms website. Safe Zone Support provides anonymous counselling on 1800 142 072. Defence All-Hours Support Line provides support for ADF personnel on 1800 628 036 or the Defence Health Portal. Defence Member and Family Helpline provides support for Defence families on 1800 624 608