Government’s response to the Royal Commission’s Final Report

On 2 December 2024, the Government provided its response to the Royal Commission’s Final Report, which was tabled by the Government on 9 September. The Report marked the culmination of the most comprehensive inquiry ever conducted into suicide and suicidality in the Defence and veteran communities.

The Government has accepted the overwhelming majority of the Final Report’s recommendations and will address the issues identified by the Royal Commission through a wide-ranging and substantial program of reform.

At the outset, the Government has highlighted the central importance of establishing a new statutory oversight body to drive system reform in response to recommendation 122, and work will begin immediately.

• It will provide independent oversight and evidence-based advice to improve suicide prevention and drive better outcomes for serving and ex-serving ADF personnel. 
• As an independent statutory body, its work will be ongoing. 

The Government will establish a Taskforce within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to ensure the implementation of the Government’s reform package. The Taskforce will prioritise actions to ensure the immediate health and safety of Defence personnel and veterans, including the implementation of recommendations to address sexual misconduct and unacceptable behaviour. It will draw on expertise from across Government.

Importantly, the Government has funded DVA to begin consultation with the veteran community on the establishment of a new DVA agency with a focus on wellbeing, and the establishment of a peak body for ex-service organisations.

The Government’s response does not mark the end of the work that must be done to drive down veteran suicide. Rather, it marks the beginning of a substantial and long-term program of reform across Defence, DVA and the veteran support system more broadly.

We will continue to work in partnership with Defence, other agencies and the veteran community to make the most of this once-in-a-generation opportunity to achieve meaningful change.

Some of the recommendations are large, complex and intersecting. 

Reform will take time, and this is the start of a reform process however we are committed to moving forward with the Government Response.

DVA is committed to listening to feedback and suggestions from the veteran community to ensure we get this reform right.

We will share more information as the implementation process moves forward. 

We thank everyone who bravely told their story and came forward to give their evidence to the Royal Commission. Their courage made a difference and will continue to do so.

We also thank the Commissioners for their work.