Elizabeth Watson-Brown (Ryan, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide received nearly 6,000 submissions and conducted 900 private sessions. It's a once-in-a-generation opportunity; it cannot gather dust. It cannot be treated the way other recommendations and reports have been, with their reform efforts quashed by Defence. I must express profound gratitude for the advice and time that so many in the veteran community have given to this commission, and to subsequent related bills and inquiries, in helping us understand the complex and interconnected challenges faced by veterans and their families. I am also very grateful for the work of veterans and advocates in the Ryan community, many of whom I've met. Ryan is home to the Army's Enoggera Barracks, and a large ADF and veteran community. Many in this community have shared moving stories with me of their experiences. Some remarkable veterans in my community—I'm very, very proud of this—are working tirelessly to seek support and justice for their very deserving comrades.

One absolutely non-negotiable recommendation that must be implemented is for a standalone statutory entity that oversees and drives the systemwide reform that this report calls for. I'm pleased that there is now support for standalone legislation for a truly independent commission, and the Greens are ready to work with the government on that. The commission, its report and those who contributed to it deserve more than just lip service. We need to be honest about the challenges, and continue on the path of respect and deep listening for this community. That is how we can change the lives of veterans for the better, and that must be our collective goal.

We know there are deep cultural issues in the ADF that are contributing to these tragic outcomes. The culture of silence and military values are fuelling suicide risk, and Defence leadership must be held accountable for failures to address that culture. These cultural issues ripple across our society, particularly for families and veterans. After losing loved ones or dealing with the fallout of a cruel system, families are often forced to navigate a cold and careless system and set of processes. It's a real credit to the veterans community and the families of veterans that this commission was secured in the first place. We owe it to all of those involved, and the loved ones that they have lost, to implement the recommendations.

Finally, I want to highlight that the goal of the commission must be no more suicides. I'll quote Julie-Ann Finney:

… we have to go for zero suicides because, if we don't, we're not doing our best. It's as simple as that. It doesn't matter what the answer is to that. We have to go for zero.

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