They were originally to produce a final report by 17 June 2024, but it was actually presented on 9 September 2024 to the Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC.
[3] Following increased pressure from members of the public, on 22 March 2021, the motion to support the establishment of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide passed both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The Letters Patent appointed Nick Kaldas APM, James Douglas KC and Dr Peggy Brown AO as Royal Commissioners.
After a recommendation in the Interim Report, the Australian Government agreed to make legislative reform to provide stronger and broader protections to those who engage with the Royal Commission.
[6] Across these hearings, the Commission heard from over 300 witnesses, including: The Royal Commission heard evidence about risk and protective factors that are unique to military service, including the role and importance of families, Australian Defence Force culture, transition out of the Australian Defence Force, delays with Department of Veterans’ Affairs claims, and more.
It includes initial findings on suicide prevention and wellbeing, families, Australian Defence Force culture, transition, and what might happen after the Royal Commission.
This included serving and ex-serving Defence personnel, their friends and family, support people, and organisation whose work related to the Royal Commission's terms of reference.
Themes such as military service, trauma, mental health, family support, and more were important to the Royal Commission's inquiry.