Veterans have held a national conference in Queensland to discuss opportunities and actions needed to support the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
The discussions covered lessons and losses during the four-and-a-half-year Brereton investigation.
Voice of a Veteran founder and former special forces major Heston Russell, along with veteran Kris Milne spoke to Sky News about the conference.
"Our whole idea was to get together to discuss the terms of reference that are going to shape this royal commission and to see what we could do as a collective community. to prepare our veterans community for what is going to be potentially a very arduous ride ahead but also a tremendous opportunity to maximise what is a once in a lifetime event," Mr Russell said.
If you or someone you know in the Defence community needs support, please reach out to one of the following organisations:
Open Arms: 1800 011 046
Defence Family Helpline: 1800 624 608
Lifeline: 13 11 14
D
The resulting information vacuum on this “30x30” proposal has enabled critics to claim that a supposed federal land grab lies ahead. The administration’s silence on the issue has placed Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack in a difficult position as he tries to explain a policy that at this point is little more than an abstraction.
Vilsack, a former Iowa governor who also served as agriculture secretary in the Obama administration, did provide needed reassurance when he publicly stated that the federal government will not seize private land. He also noted that U.S. ag producers are already using conservation measures in many cases.
There is much to ponder as the sun sets on another Anzac Day 25/04/2021|11min
Sky News host Catherine McGregor says as the sun sets on another Anzac Day there is “much to ponder”.
“The government finally announced a Royal Commission into ADF and Veteran suicides,” Ms McGregor said.
“Let s hope it is not another protracted exercise that publishes voluminous findings, takes years, only to gather dust on a Ministerial shelf.
“The rate of suicide among serving ADF and veterans is simply horrifying”.
Ms McGregor also provided “a few observations” that she had hoped “are helpful” on current issues. Our longest war is drawing to a close. But for many who served in it their greatest struggles lie ahead. Those permanently damaged in mind and body don t get a one day of the year opportunity to mouth pieties.
Veterans Affairs Minister Darren Chester says while it's important to tell stories of misconduct, the vast majority of Australians who have served in the defence force have done so honourably.
“For the two million Australians throughout the nation’s history who have put on the uniform, the vast majority, the overwhelming majority, have served with great distinction, with integrity, with compassion, where required, and with courage,” he told Sky News.
“But if there had been cases where people have acted illegally or committed war crimes and are found to be convicted, some other point in the future that will be the time to tell that story as well.
“It’s not the time to preempt that process.”
Australian War Memorial Director Matt Anderson told Sky News it's important the War Memorial tells the stories of misconduct by Australian soldiers after investigations into allegations of war crimes in Afghanistan have concluded.
He said the War Memorial must tell the s
BY Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services | April 23, 2021
Lincoln â If youâve got leftover prescription medications, itâs important to keep them out of the hands of those for whom they are not prescribed. Nebraska pharmacies and law enforcement agencies have a solution for you, whether thatâs dropping off your unwanted medications at your local pharmacy any day with the Nebraska MEDS program, or participating in the Drug Enforcement Agencyâs (DEA) twice-yearly large-scale take-back events.
DEAâs next formal take-back day is Saturday, April 24. Participating agencies in Nebraska are listed below. But many Nebraska pharmacies offer take-back days every day that their doors are open. A partial list is below, and additional locations can be found on the Nebraska MEDS Coalitionâs website, https://www.nebraskameds.org. Nebrask