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The mother who spearheaded a national campaign on behalf of her late son says the fight for change is not over despite the government s announcement of a royal commission into veteran suicides.
Julie-Ann Finney’s son David took his own life in 2019 after a two decade career with the Royal Australian Navy.
Since then, Ms Finney has fought for a royal commission on his behalf and for hundreds of other Australian veterans who have died by suicide.
A picture of David Finney, who died in 2019.
Supplied
After a long-running campaign from former soldiers and advocates, Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday announced a royal commission would go ahead.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a royal commission into suicides by Australian veterans and serving Defence personnel.
The Federal Government will release a draft terms of reference today, recommending the royal commission to Governor-General David Hurley.
The royal commission will have a mandate to examine systemic issues, any common themes and past deaths by suicide of Australian Defence Force members and veterans, Mr Morrison said.
Scott Morrison has announced a royal commission into veteran suicides.(rsl urging residents to remember true meaning of anzac day) We want this to be comprehensive, Mr Morrison said. And I have no doubt that that will get supported.
2021-04-19 08:35:52 GMT2021-04-19 16:35:52(Beijing Time) Xinhua English
CANBERRA, April 19 (Xinhua) Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a royal commission into the suicides of current and former defense personnel.
Morrison on Monday acknowledged the human cost of defense deployments, saying he hoped that the long-awaited inquiry would act as a healing process. I think this will be a process that will assist in the comfort that those families have been seeking, he told reporters.
More Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel have lost their lives by suicide than those have died in active duty in Afghanistan since 2001.
According to a report published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), between 2001 and 2017, there were 419 suicides among current serving, reserve and contemporary ex-serving ADF personnel.
Australia to probe growing number of military suicides 1 minute read
Sydney, Australia, Apr 19 (EFE).- Australia Monday said it would investigate the “unacceptably high” rate of suicide among soldiers and war veterans deployed in Afghanistan since 2001.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said a Royal Commission would probe such incidents.
“I hope it will be a healing process. I hope it will be a process by which veterans and families can find some comfort,” Morrison told reporters in Canberra.
There have been 465 suicides among Australian Defense Forces members and veterans between 2001 and 2018, official data released in October last year said.
Australia sent its soldiers to Afghanistan in 2001.
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