Both sides of parliament promise bipartisan support ahead of royal commission

The Prime Minister and Opposition Leader have promised a bipartisan approach to the findings of the Royal commission on Veteran suicides.

Transcript

00:00For many, this has meant revisiting the darkest moments of their lives.

00:0712 public hearings, 340 witnesses, 900 private sessions, more than 5,800 submissions were

00:15made to this Royal Commission.

00:18It is a measure of the extraordinary courage of those involved and a reflection of their

00:22great selflessness, their determination to make sure that others are protected from what

00:27they have endured.

00:29I do want to also, in addition to recognising the contribution of the Member for Solomon,

00:36recognise particularly Senator Lambie for her steadfast efforts and other Members of

00:41Parliament across the Parliament on both sides who have been passionate about this issue.

00:47I also want to recognise some of the families, I note Julianne Finney is in the gallery today.

00:55She did so much to bring this Commission about.

00:59Mr Speaker, Royal Commissions hold a special status in our democracy.

01:03They have power to seek the truth about what has happened in the past, but they also carry

01:09a weight and status to drive change into the future.

01:13To make our nation face up to our collective failures, to not do better, but to demand

01:20that we do do better in the future.

01:22This is where the Government will thoroughly consider every recommendation.

01:26We want to work across the Parliament on these issues and do what we can to ensure that just

01:31as our veterans and defence personnel step up for our country, we have an obligation

01:37to step up for them.

01:39Defence has let people down, the Department of Veterans Affairs has let people down, both

01:44sides of politics over a long period of time, despite the best of intent, have let these

01:49diggers down as well.

01:51So in providing support to those who have given evidence and those families who remain,

01:57we pay tribute to all of them.

01:58I thank the families that I've met with over a long period of time, including the

02:02Halloran family, but many others whose stories will stay with us forever.

02:06We must do better into the future to provide support for those who serve us with great

02:11dignity and keep our name as a country so well respected right throughout the world.