Royal commission report issued in Australia

The final report of the Australian Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide is available here. The Commission's very first recommendation suggests this was not an easy process:

Recommendation 1: Improve the capacity of future royal commissions to undertake their inquiries

To enable the efficient operation of future royal commissions:

a. the Australian Government should amend the Royal Commissions Act 1902 (Cth) so there are meaningful consequences for non-compliance with a compulsory notice

b. the Australian Government should undertake measures to ensure that royal commissions benefit from more independent representation in government, either by:

i. setting up protocols that limit the engagement of the Royal Commissions Branch of the Attorney-General's Department with the Australian Government Solicitor (AGS), or

ii. moving the Royal Commissions Branch to a separate agency, for example to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, or:

iii. setting up a liaison person or team in the Attorney-General's Department, whose role is to deal with royal commissions only

c. the Australian Government should apply consistent and transparent arrangements to allow royal commissions timely access to material covered by public interest immunity, and consider legislative amendment to facilitate royal commissions' access to this material

d. The Attorney-General's Department should provide settled advice and options on the operation of public interest immunity, Parliamentary privilege and procedural fairness in the operation of royal commissions.

The government's initial response:

Defence Secretary Greg Moriarty and Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston have acknowledged the release today of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide Final Report.

In a message to Defence staff, the leaders said the Royal Commission had enabled all in Defence to reflect on the department’s policies, processes and practices. 

“It has been sobering to hear of experiences of our current and former personnel, their families and loved ones, particularly where Defence has let people down, and not aligned actions with our values of Service, Courage, Respect, Integrity and Excellence,” they said.

The inquiry had brought into focus issues that needed to be addressed within Defence, and the impact these issues have had for serving and former serving personnel, their families and loved ones, and the broader Defence community.

“The Royal Commission’s recommendations will require significant reform across Defence and this will require leadership – and we are committed to doing better for our people,” Mr Moriarty and Admiral Johnston said.

They acknowledged there would be current or former serving ADF members and Defence personnel impacted by the report, and said support was available to people in the Defence community for whom the Royal Commission has raised issues that were personally challenging.

“Defence is continuing to evolve our culture that prioritises the wellbeing of our people who strive every day to contribute to our common goals and mission. We are committed to prioritising programs that address suicide and suicidality, and promote mental health,” they said.

“Defence is supporting the Government as they consider their response. 

“Once again, we thank everyone for their commitment to the work of the Royal Commission.”