The Gympie man whose political brinkmanship led to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans’ Suicides this week called for real action to improve the lives of people suffering the post traumatic effects of their service.
The Gympie man was Wide Bay federal MP Llew O’Brien.
This week, he said to government could start its own journey to integrity by re-organising and simplifying the laws on veteran compensation, so vets did not so often die before their entitlements were sorted out.
That was recommendation Number One from the Royal Commission, and Mr O’Brien welcomed the government’s promise last week to implement it.
But there was much more going on that needs continuing honest investigation, he said.
“The Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans Suicide Interim Report shines a light on bullying, harassment, trauma, discrimination, abuse and departmental mismanagement,“ he said.
It also exposed the damage this caused to the physical, mental and psychological wellbeing of serving and ex-service personnel.
“Australia owes a debt of gratitude to our service and ex-service personnel for their work, which has and continues to secure our freedom,“ he said.
“But it is clear from the Interim Report that successive governments have not only failed to honour that debt for so many, but has also failed to fix the culture and the structures and systems that have done so much damage.
“The Department of Veterans Affairs system is supposed to help injured people get better, but evidence has been given that its processes and mismanagement compound injuries, making them worse.
“And for so many people this has had tragic consequences, which led to the establishment of this Royal Commission.“
It is a Royal Commission which would never have happened had Mr O’Brien not threatened his own government’s Prime Minister, Scott Morrison.
The threat was that the Royal Commission would happen with or without the government of the day, because Mr O’Brien would risk his political future to cross the floor and vote with Labor to get the commission established.
“There are substantial reforms to be made, for culture, for those transitioning from service to civilian life, for the rehabilitation and compensation programs and for claims processing.
“The interim report makes it clear that urgent action is required and there are no excuses for inaction or delays.
“The Government must move quickly to accept and act on the recommendations made in the interim report to start to heal this broken system ahead of the release of the Royal Commission’s final report.
“This starts with the implementation of the first recommendation to harmonise and streamline the myriad of Acts that governs veterans’ entitlements, which has been accepted and should be operational by 1 July 2025, in line with the recommendation.
“I thank the Royal Commission for the work it has done so far, and in particular I acknowledge and thank everyone who has come forward and shared their story.
“I understand this has been extremely painful and distressing, and it’s now incumbent on the Government to listen and implement the changes needed.“.
