The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide
This page provides key updates on the The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
Update: 24 April 2022
NSW Government submission
A submission from the NSW Government to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide was lodged today. The submission outlines the work that the NSW Government has been doing to ensure services are available to veterans and their families in New South Wales, as well as additional supportive measures that can be considered.
NSW Government is committed to continuing to honour the contributions made by our servicemen and servicewomen over many generations. Through the Veterans Strategy, we are already working to ensure that veterans and their families living in NSW can access the full suite of services that are available to them, and that where possible services are provided in a flexible, veteran and family centric manner.
Update: 12 April 2022
The Royal Commission has now concluded its first three Hearing Blocks, including the last two in Sydney across February and March. The next Hearing Block (in Canberra) started on 4 April and due to conclude on 14 April, followed by hearings in Townsville (from 20 June) and Hobart (25 July).
Transcripts, video recordings, witness lists and exhibits for the previous hearings can be accessed here.
On 10 April, the Commonwealth Attorney-General announced an extension for the Royal Commission, with the final report now due 17 June 2024. This extension provides an additional 12 months to recognise the broad scope of the Royal Commission's inquiries into defence and veteran death by suicide and account for the ongoing impact of COVID-19.
The Royal Commission indicates that an interim report is due to be released in August.
Update: 25 February 2022
Hearing Block 2
The Royal Commission has concluded Hearing Block 2 and the Commissioners heard personal accounts of complex relationships involving suicidality and family violence.
The Royal Commission will investigate how Defence families can be better supported ahead of the interim report due to be released in August.
The Royal Commission is encouraging both current and former Defence personnel to share their experiences with suicidal thoughts and mental health concerns. You can make a submission or register for a private session by visiting their website here. The Commission has counsellors on hand if you need support to share your story (click here for more information on available support).
Upcoming hearing dates: Sydney and Canberra
The Royal Commission has released dates for the next set of hearings, to be conducted in Sydney and Canberra. The hearing dates are as follows.
- Hearing Block 3, Sydney, 7–18 March 2022
- Hearing Block 4, Canberra, 4–14 April 2022
Please note these are indicative dates and may be subject to change. Venue locations for each of the hearings will be provided on the Royal Commission website closer to the date.
For more information on the hearings, visit https://defenceveteransuicide.royalcommission.gov.au/hearings (includes a link to subscribe to their newsletter for updates).
You can also follow the Royal Commission on social media for updates: Facebook and Twitter.
Transcripts and recordings of previous hearings
Transcripts, video recordings, witness lists and exhibits for the previous hearings in Brisbane can be accessed here.
Update: 18 January 2022
Upcoming hearing dates: Sydney and Canberra
The Royal Commission has released dates for the next set of hearings, to be conducted in Sydney and Canberra. The hearing dates are as follows.
- Hearing Block 2, Sydney, 14–25 February 2022
- Hearing Block 3, Sydney, 7–18 March 2022
- Hearing Block 4, Canberra, 4–14 April 2022
Please note these are indicative dates and may be subject to change. Venue locations for each of the hearings will be provided closer to the date.
For more information on the hearings, visit https://defenceveteransuicide.royalcommission.gov.au/hearings (includes a link to subscribe to their newsletter for updates).
You can also follow the Royal Commission on social media for updates: Facebook and Twitter.
Transcripts and recordings of previous hearings
Transcripts, video recordings, witness lists and exhibits for the previous hearings in Brisbane can be accessed here.
Update: 25 November 2021
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide will be conducting hearings to collect evidence relevant to its inquiry, commencing with a Ceremonial Hearing at the Brisbane Convention Centre on Friday 26 November 2021 at 10am to 1pm AEST (Queensland time). The ceremonial hearing is open to the public and will also be webcast. The hearing will explain how the Commissioners will conduct the inquiry. For more information about the hearing, visit https://defenceveteransuicide.royalcommission.gov.au/rounds/ceremonial-hearing-brisbane.
Please note that if you are watching the webcast from NSW, those times are one hour later (that is, 11am to 2pm AEDT).
Then, the first of the public hearings will take place at the Brisbane Convention Centre on Monday 29 November 2021. Due to COVID regulations and capacity limits, anyone proposing to attend the Public Hearing must pre-register. The proceedings will also be available via webcast.
For more information on the hearings, as well as future hearing dates, visit https://defenceveteransuicide.royalcommission.gov.au/hearings (includes a link to subscribe to their newsletter for updates).
You can also follow the Royal Commission on social media for updates: Facebook and Twitter.
Update: 11 August 2021
Members of the community may wish to seek further details from DVA in relation to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. Requests for information held by DVA can be made under the pathways identified on DVA’s website, dva.gov.au.
Legal advice support is being established for people wishing to engage with the Royal Commission by the Attorney-General’s Department.
The Royal Commission website is now active and can be accessed at defenceveteransuicide.royalcommission.gov.au.
Update: 8 July 2021
On 8 July the Australian Government formally established a Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide following approval by the Governor-General.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Royal Commission recognised the unique nature of military service, and the ongoing effects on the physical and mental health of members and veterans as a result of their service.
“We recognise the contribution and sacrifice of the men and women who have served our country,” the Prime Minister said.
“The death of any Australian Defence Force member or veteran is a tragedy that is deeply felt by all Australians. As a Government we are committed to addressing the ongoing impact of service, including preventing future deaths by suicide and providing opportunities for healing.”
The inquiry will be led by Mr Nick Kaldas APM, former Deputy Commissioner of the New South Wales Police Force, where he commanded around 14,000 staff members and a budget of more than $2 billion. Mr Kaldas also has extensive international experience in law enforcement and peacekeeping, including as Director of Internal Oversight Services for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, and as Chief of Investigations for the United Nations Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in Syria.
Mr Kaldas will be supported by:
- The Hon James Douglas QC, an esteemed former Judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland and respected member of the legal community, and
- Dr Peggy Brown AO, a consultant psychiatrist and national leader in mental health policy with extensive experience in health and mental health service planning, governance and administration
The Royal Commission is due to provide an interim report on 11 August 2022 and a final report on 15 June 2023.
The Prime Minister's medial release can be read in full at https://www.pm.gov.au/media/defence-and-veterans-suicide
Now that the Royal Commission has commenced the Government, Defence and DVA remain completely independent of the process.
Information on the Royal Commission, including the Terms of Reference and information on how to make a submission is available at defenceveteransuicide.royalcommission.gov.au
If you, or someone you know, need support, you can contact:
- Lifeline Australia – 13 11 14
- Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
- Open Arms (current and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families are able to seek this free and confidential support) – 1800 011 046
- ADF Mental Health All-hours Support Line (for current serving ADF personnel and their families) – 1800 628 036.
- Safe Zone Support (for current and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families) – 1800 142 072. When you call Safe Zone Support, you do not need to identify yourself if you do not want to.
Previous announcements
The NSW Government welcomes the decision of the Federal Government to recommend to the Governor-General the establishment of a Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, and supports the establishment of a permanent National Commission into the future.
The NSW Government was the first State to call for a Royal Commission, recognising that one death is one death too many.
On 19 April 2021, the Prime Minister announced the Australian Government would establish a Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
The Royal Commission will examine systemic issues and common themes in past deaths by suicide. These include suspected suicides, and lived experience of suicide risks of ADF members and veterans.
The Federal Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel, the Hon Darren Chester MP, will lead a public consultation process on the Commission's draft Terms of Reference.
Given the complex issues for consideration, and the importance of hearing from ADF current and former serving members; veterans and their families and Defence personnel are encouraged to participate in the consultation process.
The themes for consultation and other information can be found on DVA's Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide website.
Media statements available for download
Download the Royal Commission consulation media release
Download the Federal Government's media release announcing the Royal Commission
Download Geoff Lee's statement