Statement on the Interim Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide
I welcome the findings of the interim report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
For far too long, this issue has been dealt with in the shadows. Today, we have shone a spotlight on the darkest corners of our Defence Force which will allow us to finally take the necessary action that I believe will start the decline of the national shame that is Defence and veteran suicide.
Today, I offer a heartfelt apology to every single Australian family that has lost a loved one to Defence or veteran suicide.
Political parties and politicians across every colour have failed you.
I have never shied away from this fact and I will not shy away from it today.
That failure was my biggest driver when I made the decision to get into politics four years ago.
I too know the pain of losing a mate, a brother, to the battle within. In the past five years, I have attended the funerals of more than 12 mates who succumbed to their war within.
They were sons, brothers, uncles, friends. The pain of their loss will never go away. Today, I honour every man and woman who has succumbed to their war within.
To that end, I urge the Albanese Government to ensure the recommendations of the interim report are acted upon with urgency.
I also urge the Prime Minister to overturn his decision to demote the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel by removing the position from Cabinet.
It is a poor decision and has sent the wrong message to our Defence community.
Prime Minister, I urge you to show our brave men and women who have served this nation with pride the respect they deserve, and put the role of Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Minister back into the Cabinet.
ENDS