Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

nator SCARR (—) (): A hard act to follow, as always. I refer to the National Press Club address by Commissioner Nick Kaldas in relation to the veteran suicide royal commission. Every single senator in this chamber should read Commissioner Kaldas's National Press Club address. It is deeply, deeply disturbing. Twenty-six months into this royal commission, Nick Kaldas has this to say about the Department of Defence and the Department of Veterans' Affairs:

Operationally, when we first commenced this inquiry, we did not expect to be stymied and stonewalled along the way.

We have faced significant delays in the provision of vital data and information sought from Defence …

…   …   …

Despite the Government establishing a Royal Commission—and the legislature wanting certain issues investigated—

that's us—

obtaining critical information from Commonwealth bodies in a timely manner has been difficult.

Our success will require Government and its agencies—including the ADF, Defence and DVA—to, once and for all, get on board and act.

The fact the royal commissioner was moved to make that National Press Club address 26 months into the royal commission should be a clarion call to the Department of Defence and the Department of Veterans' Affairs, and it should be a call to the ministers to act and ensure cooperation from those departments. We shouldn't require a royal commission in relation to the Department of Defence and Department of Veterans' Affairs response to the royal commission. Act now.