Challenge to act on 'tragedy' of defence suicides

James Douglas and Nick Kaldas address the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. For support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. Video via AAP.

Transcript

00:00It became obvious to us during those consultations overseas that what we were doing was of great

00:10interest to our colleagues abroad.

00:12It has been more wide-ranging, comprehensive and focused on the problem of suicide than

00:18some of their own inquiries.

00:20Three commissioners felt all along that this inquiry was at least a once-in-a-generation,

00:25possibly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be grasped by the government, the ADF,

00:30the DBA and the ex-service organisations to face the myriad issues we have brought into

00:35the light and then to deal with them.

00:37Or as Senator Lambie said to me, mate, there won't be another one in our lifeline.

00:43From unacceptable behaviour, to sexual and other forms of abuse, to the disciplinary

00:47system being weaponised against those who complain, to inadequate transition arrangements,

00:53to delays in unfair treatment, to the DBA claims processes – all of these factors

00:58have led to the trauma experienced by thousands of people who have come forward.