In February 2020, the Prime Minister announced the creation of a new National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention. The proposed National Commissioner recognised that too many Defence members and veterans take their own lives, and that action is needed to ensure that everything possible is done to prevent these deaths.
In November 2020, an interim National Commissioner, Dr Bernadette Boss CSC, was appointed to commence an independent review into past Defence and veteran suicides, in line with the terms of reference.
The establishment of the National Commissioner is precedent on the passing of the National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention Bill 2020 which has not been passed by the Senate.
In July 2021, the Prime Minister announced the establishment of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. As such, Dr Boss was provided with supplementary terms of reference directing her to conclude her work by mid-September 2021.
Report
The Preliminary Interim Report of the Interim National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention was sent to Government on 15 September 2021 and tabled in parliament on 29 September 2021.
The report sets out the Interim Commissioner’s findings and recommendations.
You can view the report here
Tracking Report Recommendations and Implementation
DFWA is tracking the Government’s progress at implementing (or otherwise) the recommendations of the Interim Commissioner’s report.
There are 41 recommendations made in the report. Track each recommendation here