News by Matthew Benns and Josh Hanrahan 26th Apr 2021 6:34 AM
Premium Content  Australia s most decorated war hero has delivered a scathing attack on the Australian Defence Force s top brass for their disgusting treatment of veterans and staggering lack of direction. Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith said military commanders had run Australia s longest-ever conflict in Afghanistan from the safety and comfort of Dubai without ever having a campaign strategy. And he thanked the Australian public for pushing for a royal commission into veteran suicides in the face of Âresistance from defence force chiefs afraid because we re going to uncover systemic failures and systemic flaws .
News by Matthew Benns and Josh Hanrahan 26th Apr 2021 6:34 AM
Premium Content  Australia s most decorated war hero has delivered a scathing attack on the Australian Defence Force s top brass for their disgusting treatment of veterans and staggering lack of direction. Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith said military commanders had run Australia s longest-ever conflict in Afghanistan from the safety and comfort of Dubai without ever having a campaign strategy. And he thanked the Australian public for pushing for a royal commission into veteran suicides in the face of Âresistance from defence force chiefs afraid because we re going to uncover systemic failures and systemic flaws .
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BLAIR MP Shayne Neumann says this week’s long-awaited announcement of a Royal Commission into veteran suicide will provide an opportunity for grief stricken family members to have their voices heard.
Mr Neumann, who is also the Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, said veterans and their families had been calling for a Royal Commission since 2019.
“Since the beginning of the war in Afghanistan, we have lost more veterans to suicide than soldiers killed in combat, while more than 18 defence personnel and veterans have taken their own lives this year alone,” Mr Neumann said.
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A Mackay veteran says it is âabout timeâ the prime minister announced a royal commission into Australiaâs alarming rate of veteransâ and defence force personnel suicide.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, in announcing the inquiry on Monday, said the rate was âunacceptably highâ with suicide prevention a priority for the federal government.
âIn recognising the sacrifices made by our serving and former members, and their families, on behalf of the nation, we owe it to members, veterans and their families to continue to take action,â Mr Morrison said.
Mackay Vietnam War veteran Leslie Palmer, whose service resulted in post-traumatic stress disorder, said the inquiry would emphasise the need for more services such the a revolutionary wellness and treatment centre at Kinchant Dam for which the Daily Mercuryâs Hub for our Heroes is campaigning.