The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide is set to hear what each of the armed forces – Army, Air Force and Navy – is doing to combat cultural issues within their ranks, with the public hearing resuming in Sydney today.
During his opening address, Senior Counsel Assisting, Kevin Connor SC, said high-ranking Defence personnel and senior officials from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) would give evidence during the hearing.
The inquiry will examine the extent to which Defence has recognised problems concerning mental health issues, suicidality and lifetime wellbeing of its current and former-serving members.
It will also explore what steps Defence and DVA have taken to assist with the transition from military to civilian life.
“The essential tenet of the Australian Defence Force is: ‘Leave no person behind’,” Mr Connor told the Commission.
“Should this responsibility end for Defence when a member leaves the service? If so, who picks it up?”
Senior Counsel Assisting, Peter Gray QC, said a number of cultural issues within the ADF had been identified during the Commission’s first two public hearings.
“These include hazing and bastardisation – particularly soon after recruitment and during training – tribalism, and the ostracism of people who are seen as ‘other’ or different.”
Hyper-masculinity, sexual assault and other sexualised misconduct, along with a culture of silence around complaints, had also been identified from the evidence.
These issues will be further explored during the hearing by three panels of witnesses, including the chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force, during the hearing’s eight day sitting.
Five witnesses with lived experience are also expected to give evidence during the hearing.
Commission Chair, Nick Kaldas said the courage shown by people giving evidence during public hearings and those telling their stories during private sessions had been “remarkable”.
“It’s a potent reminder that for the families involved, the impact of suicide never ends,” he said.
Mr Kaldas thanked those who last week braved torrential rain and flooding in south-east Queensland – where the majority of planned private sessions went ahead – despite difficult conditions.
The hearing will run until 17 March.
