The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has received a substantial influx of input, with close to 6,000 submissions from current and former Defence members, their families, and experts. This surge in contributions underscores the urgent need to address the critical issue of suicide within the defence community.

Over the period from 1997 to 2020, there were at least 1,600 reported deaths by suicide in the defence community. This figure is shockingly 20 times higher than the number of military personnel killed in active duty during the same timeframe. This alarming statistic propelled the establishment of the Royal Commission in 2021 to thoroughly investigate systemic failures within the system. The Commission is expected to present its final report, replete with recommendations, to the federal government in the coming year.

As the submission deadline closed on a recent Friday, a staggering total of 5,889 submissions had been received, with a commitment to process and analyse any additional submissions that may arrive via postal mail. In early 2023, the Commission is set to conduct both private and public hearings in Sydney as it delves further into this critical matter.

Ultimately, the Commission’s work will be transitioned to a specialized body, with a report outlining this transition expected to be released soon. Chair Nick Kaldas expressed his gratitude to the thousands of individuals who courageously shared their personal experiences, acknowledging the pivotal role these accounts play in comprehending the multifaceted issue at hand.

“Your stories are integral to our understanding of this complex problem and will aid us in formulating a comprehensive final report,” Kaldas commented. “Our goal is to honour your narratives by providing government recommendations that result in tangible, meaningful, and lasting change.”

This recent surge of submissions follows Chair Kaldas’s previous statement, made a month prior, in which he highlighted the Commission’s struggle to obtain vital information from Defence and other governmental bodies. He noted that evidence uncovered during the Commission’s investigation suggested that there had been more talk than concrete action in addressing the issue.

Kaldas emphasized the need for long-lasting and substantial reforms aimed at improving the mental health and overall well-being of defence personnel. While acknowledging that predicting suicide is a complex challenge, he underlined that the approach to tackling this problem should begin with the perspective that it is preventable.

He further emphasized that individuals contemplating suicide often have prior contact with an agency or organization, making it crucial for these entities to be alert to the risks and to offer appropriate support and compassion to those who may have experienced trauma and vulnerability.

In conclusion, the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide is making significant strides in addressing this pressing issue, with a firm commitment to lasting change and improved mental health outcomes for defence personnel.

Video shows rockets fired from Gaza towards Ashkelon in Israel being intercepted by Iron Dome, Israel’s anti-missile system. It is designed to protect the country from short-range rocket attacks.

A message from the Naval Association of Australia

On 26 October at the Jacks Memorial, Southbank in Brisbane, the Naval Association will commemorate the Battle of Leyte Gulf and the Australians sailors who fought in it.

The battle began on 20 October 1944 and raged for three days.

The story will be told by Commander Ken Spicer a serving member of HMAS Moreton, whose uncle Seaman Noel Rattray was killed on the bridge of HMAS Australia (II) when it was hit by the first kamikaze suicide plane in the Pacific War. Noel was a Bridge Messenger for the Captain Emile Dechaineux DSC RAN who was mortally wounded.

‘This one pilot, who was already hit by anti-aircraft fire deliberately aimed straight for the bridge and took out most of the command team in one hit, including my uncle who was only 21 years old,’ said Commander Spicer.

The late Able Seaman Frederick ‘Flex’ Dance of Indooroopilly was on deck when a kamikaze hit Australia.

His son Vyvyan said, ‘Dad never talked about his war experiences. We now understand why he hated storms and when there was thunder and lightning, he would crouch behind a chair. The pounding and scenes on the deck must have been unspeakable.’

The ceremony will also honour the late Ken Fuller, of Cleveland who was the Writer (Navy secretary) to the Captain. He heroically carried the mortally wounded Dechaineux to seek medical attention under intense fire. Ken lived until he was 99 years of age, but 29 other officers and ratings were killed and 64 badly wounded.

The Royal Australian Navy’s contribution to Vice Admiral Kinkaid’s force, under the command of Commodore Collins, consisted of the heavy cruisers HMAS Australia and HMAS Shropshire, the destroyers HMAS Arunta and HMAS Warramunga, and nine other ships.

The result was an Allied victory. Admiral Mitsumasa Yoni, Japan’s Navy Minister said, ‘I felt that it was the end.’

But it came at a terrible cost. More than Allied 3000 sailors died in the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

Tailored services and support is now available to veterans and families across Southeast Queensland, with the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Matt Keogh, officially opening a Veteran’s and Families’ Hub in Caboolture today.

The new hub means veterans and families living on the Sunshine Coast, across the City of Moreton Bay and those residing in Brisbane North have access to employment, housing, transition, advocacy, mental health and wellbeing support, along with counselling and opportunities to enhance their social connections.

The new hub is operated by Lives Lived Well and is open to all current and former serving Australian Defence Force members, including reservists, and their families.

Lives Lived Well has partnered with a number of ex-service organisations and key agencies to ensure they are providing wrap around support for veterans and their families.

Veterans and families who live in Southeast Queensland are encouraged to drop by for a cuppa and a chat. The hub is located at 12 King St, Caboolture, QLD, 4510.

Support is also available over the phone or online, simply call 1300 727 957 or send the team an email at [email protected]

The launch of the Caboolture Veterans’ and Families’ Hub is part of the Government’s $46.7 million commitment to deliver eight new Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs across the country.

For more information about the Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs, visit www.dva.gov.au/vfhubs

The Ukraine conflict is showcasing the significance of new warfare technologies and tactics for the 21st century, underscoring a timeless principle – the importance of mass in warfare.

Russia’s incursion into Ukraine debunked several post-Cold War beliefs. These include the unchallenged spread of liberal democracy and the notion of the “End of History” as suggested by US academic Francis Fukuyama. The current era sees autocratic nations growing stronger as traditional powerhouses like the US, UK, Japan, and Germany witness a decline in global influence.

Ukraine stands out as an example of the changing face of warfare. Unlike the guerrilla tactics prominent in conflicts like Afghanistan and Iraq in the 1990s, Ukraine has witnessed a more conventional style of warfare. This shift caught many global powers by surprise, signaling a potential return to state-on-state conflicts.

Michta, commenting on the situation, emphasized that the scale required for modern warfare is beyond what most Western militaries are prepared for. While the West has focused on precision strikes and advanced technology, the Ukraine conflict has shown that mass still plays a crucial role, especially against a comparable adversary. Expensive, precision-engineered weapon systems are only advantageous when combined with large force numbers on the battlefield.

In a prolonged conflict, the ability to quickly replace lost resources and personnel becomes crucial. With adversaries likely producing simpler, more affordable systems, Western powers might struggle to keep up.

For nations like Australia, the lessons from Ukraine are pivotal. There’s a pressing need to boost the nation’s industrial base to ensure economic resilience, competitiveness, and a steady supply chain for the armed forces.

Dr. Ross Babbage stresses the importance of economic resilience and innovation for Australia, advocating for the creation of high-tech job opportunities and a vision for the country’s future.

To secure its place in the shifting global landscape, Australia needs a more long-term approach, breaking away from short-term objectives. The nation must reconsider its position as a “middle” or “regional” power and aim higher to ensure the best possible future for its citizens. Transparency, collaboration, and a shared vision for the country’s direction are essential moving forward.