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Monday, 23rd December 2019

Labor Urges Government To Support A Royal Commission Into Veteran Suicide

 

THE HON ANTHONY ALBANESE MP

LEADER OF THE AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY

MEMBER FOR GRAYNDLER


 

THE HON SHAYNE NEUMANN MP

SHADOW MINISTER FOR VETERANS’ AFFAIRS AND DEFENCE PERSONNEL

MEMBER FOR BLAIR


 
 

LABOR URGES THE MORRISON GOVERNMENT TO SUPPORT A ROYAL COMMISSION INTO VETERAN SUICIDE


 
Labor is urging the Morrison Government to agree to a Royal Commission into veteran suicide by the end of the year.
As we think of our veterans and their families this Christmas, yesterday Labor Leader Anthony Albanese again met with Julie-Ann Finney, whose Navy veteran son David took his own life in February.
Ms Finney reiterated her call for Prime Minister Scott Morrison to join with Labor and commit to a Royal Commission into the rate of veteran suicide as soon as possible.
With more than 400 veteran suicides since 2001, including the recent passing of former commando Kevin Frost, we simply cannot afford to delay.
As a nation, we need to urgently get to the bottom of what is driving so many of our ex-service men and women to take their own lives, and what we can do to prevent these tragic deaths.
Only a thorough and comprehensive Royal Commission will achieve this.
Labor wants this to be a bipartisan effort – we want to work with the Government, the Parliament and the veteran community and do all we can to address this blight on our community.
We are still waiting on the Morrison Government to deliver a new Veteran Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy and National Action Plan, which it promised by the end of the year as recently as the Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel Darren Chester’s annual ministerial statement on 16 October 2019.
The Government is also yet to respond to the Productivity Commission inquiry report on the veteran support system, which it received in June.
The Government needs to deliver on these important initiatives and a Royal Commission into veteran suicide as a matter of urgency.
As we head into 2020, this would be the best possible New Year’s gift for our veterans and all Australians.
Open Arms – Veterans and Families Counselling (formerly VVCS) provides support for current and ex-service personnel and their families. Free and confidential help is available 24/7. Phone 1800 011 046 (international: +61 1800 011 046 or +61 8 8241 4546) or visit www.OpenArms.gov.au

TUESDAY, 24 DECEMBER 2019
 
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Electorate Office

334a Marrickville Rd
Marrickville NSW 2204

Phone: 02 9564 3588

Parliament House Office

Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Phone: 02 6277 7700

Phone: (02) 9564 3588
Fax: (02) 9564 1734
Email: A.Albanese.MP@aph.gov.au

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which our offices stand and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge the sorrow of the Stolen Generations and the impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We also recognise the resilience, strength and pride of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Authorised by Anthony Albanese, ALP, Canberra.