A step forward, but more needs to be done
On Monday, 2 December 2024, the Australian Government released its response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s Final Report. While the government has agreed to many of the Commission’s recommendations, including the establishment of a Veteran Wellbeing Agency within DVA, more needs to be done to address the specific needs of veteran families. You can read more about the gaps impacting the families of veterans in our CEO’s latest opinion piece.
Key takeaways from the Government’s Response:
- Positive Steps: The government’s agreement to establish a Veteran Wellbeing Agency and an independent statutory body is a positive step towards improving veteran mental health and wellbeing.
- Focus on Veterans: While the government’s response primarily focuses on veterans, the specific needs of veteran families have been largely overlooked.
- The Role of Families: Families of veterans continue to face significant challenges, including systemic gaps in support and understanding.
What does this mean for veteran families?
While the Royal Commission’s findings have validated the experiences of many veteran families, significant challenges remain. The government’s response, while promising, does not fully address the unique needs of families.
Moving forward:
We are committed to advocating for the rights and wellbeing of veteran families. We will continue to work with the government and other stakeholders to ensure that the specific needs of families are addressed.
We encourage you to review the government’s response and share your thoughts with us. Your voice is important.
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Related to: veteran families, veteran suicide, mental health, Royal Commission, DVA, ADF, defence force, wellbeing, support, advocacy.
