Addressing the Crisis: A National Reckoning on Veterans’ Mental Health

Content Warning: This article discusses suicide and mental health issues.

As prime minister, Scott Morrison consistently acknowledged both the traditional custodians of the land and Australia’s veterans in his speeches. Early in his tenure in 2018, one of his flagship policies was the introduction of the Australian Veterans’ Card and lapel pin, aimed at honouring military personnel and securing discounts on essential services like groceries and power bills.

However well-intentioned, the initiative quickly fizzled out. This failure reflects a broader, systemic problem that has plagued the nation for decades: the disproportionate rate of suicide among current and former members of Australia’s Defence Force (ADF).

Two years after Morrison left office, a major legacy of his administration came to light on Monday—the release of the final report from a royal commission into veterans’ suicide. While the findings are deeply distressing, they confirm long-standing concerns: Australia’s military community has been enduring a silent crisis, with three suicides occurring every fortnight for the past decade.

This report, spanning seven volumes and over 3,100 pages, places responsibility squarely in the hands of Morrison’s successor, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. His government must now confront the shocking details and work to implement solutions.

The royal commission’s findings are grim: between 1985 and 2021, 1,677 active and former defence personnel took their own lives—a number 20 times greater than those who died in active service. The commissioners warned that the true toll may be even higher, with as many as 3,000 preventable deaths.

The report highlighted how simply being in the ADF increases the risk of suicide, with the dangers amplifying for those who have served in combat roles. Men in the ADF are 30% more likely to die by suicide than those in the civilian workforce, a figure that jumps to 100% for those in combat or security roles. Ex-servicemen face an even grimmer outlook. For women, the risk is worse: ex-servicewomen are 107% more likely to die by suicide, with that number soaring to 452% for those in combat or security roles.

Commission Chair Nick Kaldos remarked that for too long, these alarming statistics were ignored, deemed too difficult to address.

Recommendations for Reform

The royal commission issued 122 recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths. The key proposal calls for the creation of a statutory entity to oversee reforms within the ADF and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). This body would ensure that both institutions take concrete steps to reduce suicides and improve the wellbeing of current and former service members.

Other recommendations include better data collection to inform policies, the creation of a national suicide database, and the establishment of a peak body for ex-service organizations. The commission also proposed a new executive agency within the DVA to help veterans transition from military to civilian life and ensure early access to mental health support.

The Long Road to Accountability

The fight for this royal commission was long and hard-fought by families of veterans who had died by suicide. For years, their calls were dismissed. In 2020, Morrison’s government attempted to bypass the demand for a royal commission by establishing a permanent national commissioner to investigate Defence Force suicides, but families like Julie-Ann Finney, whose son, Navy Petty Officer David Finney, died in 2019, continued to push for more accountability. Eventually, Morrison conceded, and the royal commission was established, running for three years.

The commission’s establishment was an acknowledgment of decades of failure—not just by the ADF and DVA but by successive governments, including Morrison’s own.

The Challenge Ahead for Albanese

The royal commission brought with it a cascade of apologies from senior ADF leaders. Kaldos noted that the DVA has begun making progress, thanks in part to hundreds of new staff recruited under Albanese’s leadership to address a 42,000-claim backlog. Both Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton have pledged to work together to implement the commission’s recommendations and prevent future tragedies.

However, the commissioners remain sceptical of Defence and DVA’s ability to enact the sweeping changes necessary. Commissioner Peggy Brown stated that the departments could not be trusted to resolve the deep-rooted issues on their own, emphasizing the need for an ongoing body to hold them accountable.

Senator Jacqui Lambie, a long-time advocate for reform and a former soldier herself, expressed hope for change but voiced concerns that the Defence Force might impede progress. “It must be all in, or else we’re never going to fix this,” she warned.

From Good Intentions to Action

For the families of those lost to suicide, the promises of cultural change from successive governments have often rung hollow. The royal commission’s report has the potential to change that—but only if it leads to real, sustained action.

The path forward is clear: Australia must confront this national shame head-on, ensuring that the final report does not gather dust on a government shelf but instead serves as a catalyst for meaningful change. Only then can the country honour its commitment to those who have served and sacrificed in its name.

Defence support services:

  • The Defence all-hours Support Line is a confidential telephone and online service for ADF members and their families 1800 628 036
  • Open Arms provides 24-hour free and confidential counselling and support for current and former ADF members and their families 1800 011 046
  • Soldier On is a national support services provider for Defence personnel, contemporary veterans, and their families. Contact during office hours 1300 620 380

 

ADF orders Polaris DAGOR off-road vehicles

By APDR

Australia has awarded a contract to Polaris Australia for the DAGOR vehicle, an off-road and internally transportable tactical mobility platform from the company’s Government and Defence division. The contract is valued at A$22 million (US$14.6 million) and includes vehicles, mission accessories, technical manuals, spare parts and tool kits, driver and maintainer training and ongoing, in-country support.

Polaris will deliver the DAGOR vehicles to the Australian Defence Force in several variants in support of joint missions worldwide. The four-wheel, all-terrain vehicles will be configured in three different variants – a transport variant for enhanced tactical mobility and greater standoff; an expeditionary reconnaissance variant for continued agility and increased stealth in austere conditions; and a cargo variant with the rear seats replaced with a rear bed extension for increased combat load capacity. Polaris engineered standard mission configuration items, as well as locally engineered and manufactured content, will be integrated onto the vehicles at a Polaris facility in Melbourne.

“We are proud to provide this capability for Australian personnel. The DAGOR all-terrain vehicle will allow teams to move faster, carry more and significantly reduce combat fatigue by navigating complex terrain otherwise covered on foot,” said Michael Cannell, Government and Defence sales and operation manager, Polaris Australia. “Polaris Australia will also provide in-country sustainment, leveraging the global presence of Polaris as these vehicles deploy globally.”

DAGOR comprises an optimal balance of rapid air transportability, payload capacity and advanced mobility and is the most capable military platform in its class for off-road, rugged terrain. The chassis and suspension are engineered for off-road operation at full payload of 1,814 kilograms (4,000 pounds), which also contributes to the vehicle’s overall reliability and durability. DAGOR uses a readily available commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) driveline, controls and components like a diesel/JP8 engine selected for its ideal combination of power, weight and size. DAGOR can produce up to 4.4 kW of exportable power and is heavy-weapons capable. Its weight and size allow it to be internally transportable on a variety of in-service aircraft, including CH-47, C-17 and C-130 and is also airdrop and sling-load certified.

“Collaboration within the global defence community is critical to mission success and equipment commonality helps enable interoperability among joint forces,” said Nick Francis, vice president, Polaris Government and Defence. “Polaris military vehicles have become force multipliers for expeditionary forces by extending mission range while mitigating operator fatigue and increasing mission readiness and capability.”

DAGOR’s unique design and use of commercial components allows for ease of operation, maintenance and sustainment in support of combat operations. Allied forces that also have the DAGOR platform include U.S. forces, Canadian forces, and multiple European countries. DAGOR vehicle production is underway, and deliveries will take place over the next two years. These vehicles will augment existing Australian vehicle fleets, which include two other Polaris products: the MV850 and Sportsman 6×6 Big Boss ATVs.

Global Navy Forces Converge on Darwin for Exercise Kakadu 2024

Warships and personnel from over 30 nations will arrive in Darwin this week for Australia’s premier maritime warfare event, Exercise Kakadu. Since its inception in 1993, the exercise has grown in both size and complexity, this year featuring warships, helicopters, and maritime patrol aircraft, with over 3,000 uniformed personnel participating.

Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, AO RAN, Chief of the Navy, warmly welcomed the participants and highlighted the significance of the partnerships that would be strengthened throughout the exercise. “Kakadu is the largest and most important international exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Navy. It enhances relationships and interoperability between participating armed forces. As a maritime nation, Australia, like its neighbours, relies on the sea for prosperity, secured by a strong Navy and solid partnerships,” said Vice Admiral Hammond. “Kakadu allows officers, sailors, and aviators to sharpen their skills in a range of tactical maritime operations. This year’s focus is on greater integration and interoperability with our international partners in all aspects of the exercise.”

Building on the success of 2022, this year’s event will feature a multinational Exercise Control team based at RAAF Base Darwin. They will coordinate air, sea, and subsurface activities, covering the full spectrum of maritime warfare, from mission planning and constabulary operations to advanced anti-submarine warfare and air defence exercises.

“There is no economic security without maritime security,” Vice Admiral Hammond emphasized. “The nations participating in Kakadu share this view and are committed to ensuring the safety, security, and strength of our countries.”

The theme for this year’s exercise is “Regional Cooperation through Trusted and Proven Partnerships.” Alongside the at-sea exercises, there will be a harbor phase featuring briefings, a Fleet Commanders and Senior Leaders’ conference, ceremonies, and various cultural, social, and sporting events.

The Truth About the Media

The statement “The media manipulates the point of view” touches on a widely held belief that media organizations, through selective reporting, framing, or editorial choices, can influence how audiences perceive events and issues. Media outlets may emphasize certain aspects of a story, omit critical information, or present biased perspectives, consciously or unconsciously. This can shape public opinion by highlighting particular viewpoints while downplaying others.

Factors like ownership, political affiliations, target audience, and economic interests can play roles in how stories are presented. For instance, a news outlet with a specific political leaning may frame an event in a way that supports its ideology, leading audiences to interpret it in line with that perspective. Social media algorithms can also contribute to echo chambers, reinforcing specific views by showing users content aligned with their beliefs.

This young man articulates the problem very well.

 

The F-14s that served in Vietnam

The F-14 Tomcat is remembered for its important Navy role during the 1980s and 1990s. However, few people are aware of the brief role it played in the Vietnam War. We look at Operation Frequent Wind, in which the F-14 served.

The Grumman F-14 Tomcat, made famous by Top Gun, served as the U.S. Navy’s top naval fighter jet for decades. Renowned for its impressive speed and range, the F-14 could reach speeds over Mach 2 and had an extraordinary combat radius of 1,841 miles—a range the Navy still misses today.

Equipped with advanced systems like the AWG-9 radar and AIM-54 Phoenix missile, the Tomcat could lock onto and engage multiple targets up to 90 miles away, giving it a distinct advantage in air combat. Its versatile design, featuring variable-sweep wings, enabled the F-14 to excel in both air-to-air and air-to-ground roles. Though retired in 2006, it remains one of the Navy’s most iconic and capable fighter jets.

“Do you feel the need for speed?” This famous line from Top Gun may have catapulted Tom Cruise into stardom, but the true star of the film was the Grumman F-14 Tomcat. At the time, the F-14 was the most advanced naval warplane ever built, combining air superiority with interception capabilities that could shield a carrier group from anything the Soviet fleet could muster.

In terms of performance, the Tomcat certainly delivered on speed, reaching cruising speeds above Mach 2. But its real standout feature was its range—a combat radius of 1,841 miles, unmatched by any naval aircraft since.

Armed with the AIM-54 Phoenix missile, the F-14 could obliterate targets from 90 miles away. This long-range strike capability, combined with the radar system’s ability to track 24 targets and engage six simultaneously, made it an unparalleled force in fleet air defence.

Although the Navy once considered developing a successor, the F-21 Super Tomcat, they ultimately moved forward with the F/A-18 Super Hornet and are now transitioning to the F-35 Lightning II. However, even the F-35, a fifth-generation fighter, lacks some of the unique capabilities that made the F-14 so formidable. There have been murmurs of dissatisfaction within the Navy regarding the loss of capabilities following the Tomcat’s final flight in 2006.

Perhaps one day, the Navy will revisit the idea of building a true successor to the F-14—a jet that many still consider the greatest naval warplane ever built.

 

Today Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide will be handed to the Governor-General

ED: While the government often makes statements in the media, there is a history of inaction when it comes to fully implementing the outcomes of Royal Commissions. Many times, reports are tabled and promises are made, but substantial follow-through is lacking. Today, the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide will be handed to the Governor-General and is expected to be tabled in Parliament later. Once this happens, the report will be accessible on the Australian Parliament House website.

The Department has stated that it will actively support the Royal Commission’s work and implement its recommendations. However, given past trends with other commissions, it’s uncertain how much of the report’s findings will lead to meaningful change. With extensive media coverage likely, particularly surrounding mental health and suicide, support services are available for the veteran community.

The next steps, as always, will depend on real political will and not just media sound bites.

Ray

US Finally Revealed Their Brand New Super A-10 Warthog!

When air support is needed on the battlefield, nothing inspires both confidence in friendly infantry and chilling terror in enemy infantry like the silhouette of an A-10 Warthog! It’s not for nothing that this attack aircraft has become a true icon of American military aviation, bursting into all sorts of halls of fame with both wings spread! But can Warthog remain relevant for the foreseeable future, given the active development of drones and artificial intelligence technology?

Australian Army Gears Up for Arrival of Modern M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams and AS21 Redback IFVs.

  • Defence News Army 2024

Picture: AS21 Redback infantry fighting vehicles (Picture source: Australian DoD)

The Australian Army is undergoing significant reorganization to modernize its armoured capabilities, concentrating its heavy vehicles, including the M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks and AS21 Redback infantry fighting vehicles, in Townsville. This restructuring follows the recommendations of last year’s Defence Strategic Review, aimed at strengthening the country’s military readiness.

The Army’s 3rd Brigade, stationed in Townsville, will operate most of the newly acquired heavy armour. Among the key additions are the M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams, advanced battle tanks sourced from the United States. These tanks represent a major upgrade from the older M1A1 Abrams, which Australia has operated since 2007 after retiring its Leopard 1 tanks.

In June, 27 M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams were spotted en route to Australia, believed to have been shipped via California. Australia is purchasing 75 of these upgraded tanks, which bring enhanced protection, advanced technology, and improved combat capabilities. The M1A2 SEPv3 features a 120 mm main gun, a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun, and a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun on the turret. It also includes advanced composite armour and the option for the Trophy active protection system, which intercepts threats such as rockets and missiles. Additionally, it boasts improved communication systems and energy management for efficient battlefield performance and maintenance.

These acquisitions are part of Australia’s broader effort to bolster its defence forces. Alongside the Abrams, the Army is also expanding its fleet of infantry fighting vehicles with the AS21 Redback, developed by Hanwha Defence. Australia plans to purchase 129 AS21 Redback vehicles as part of Phase 3 of the LAND 400 modernization program. Designed for mechanized infantry, the Redback offers strong protection, mobility, and firepower, armed with a 30 mm cannon and Spike-LR2 anti-tank missiles.

The AS21 Redback is equipped with modular armour and advanced digital systems that enhance battlefield coordination. It carries eight infantry soldiers alongside its crew, making it highly versatile for modern combat operations. These vehicles will replace the aging M113AS4 armoured personnel carriers, which have served for decades but are no longer adequate for contemporary battlefield needs.

By centralizing these new armoured assets in Townsville, the Australian Army aims to optimize the management and deployment of its modernized forces. This move enhances the Army’s ability to respond to modern threats and supports the broader initiative to reinforce the country’s defence capabilities.

 

Nuclear in Australia should be a national triumph, not political fear tactic

By: Robert Dougherty – Defence Connect

It’s finally time for Australia to put on the big boy pants and plan out a long-overdue nuclear strategy, following more out-of-date and out-of-touch anti-AUKUS criticism earlier this week.

More anti-nuclear sentiment has bubbled to the surface in Australia as Parliament tabled the agreed legal framework for transferring nuclear materials and equipment under the AUKUS trilateral defence pact with the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Under the agreement, signed by all three partner countries in Washington last week, Australia will acquire nuclear-powered submarines among other critical defence technology for $368 billion dollars.

This new development is being closely followed by the most predictable and inane rusted-on no-nuclear criticism against Australia’s obligation to be responsible for the storage and disposal of its own spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste used in the nuclear power units that are transferred under AUKUS.

UK and US defence officials must now be wondering what an insane country they have allied with and militarily linked themselves to.

It’s beyond belief that such a common sense and essential obligation is being disputed. If you want to have nuclear submarines, you must be prepared to store the nuclear material and waste they utilise or produce.

Critics, such as the Australian Greens, have touted fear-mongering claims that Australia would become a dumping ground for radioactive waste produced by the US and the UK. An unsurprising allegation considering their devote opposition to nuclear energy, a campaign stifling decades of debate on the key international technology and industry.

“Reports that the Albanese government have signed a secret AUKUS deal with the US are deeply concerning. The Albanese government wants to legalise dumping nuclear waste from the US and the UK here in Australia,” Greens senator for SA, spokesperson for environment Sarah Hanson-Young said.

“Labor need to come clean and guarantee that South Australia will not become a nuclear waste dumping ground for the US and the UK.

“South Australia has long been the target for a dangerous nuclear waste dump and Labor need to clearly rule it out before the election.

“Between Labor’s nuclear subs and Peter Dutton’s nuclear power obsession, the Greens remain the only party in South Australia fighting to protect our nuclear-free state.”

Australia will manage all radioactive waste generated by its own Virginia Class and SSN-AUKUS submarines, including radioactive waste generated through operations, maintenance and decommissioning, according to the Australian Submarine Agency.

All waste, including spent fuel, will be managed safely, informed by international best practice and in accordance with Australia’s international and domestic legal obligations and commitments.

Australia will continue to leverage decades of experience in safely and securely managing radioactive waste and will be supported by the UK and the US, whose experience and advice will support Australia in building this capability – ASA said.

“There is no prospect of any nuclear waste coming to Australia from the US or the UK. We will be handling our own nuclear waste, which is what we announced in March of last year,” Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles said, speaking to ABC News Breakfast earlier this week.

“What we signed earlier this week was the legal underpinning, a treaty-level agreement, which underpins the AUKUS arrangements that we announced in March of last year.

“What that will see is the three Virginia Class submarines be provided by the United States to Australia, which obviously will include within them the nuclear reactor.

“We’ll see the nuclear reactor that are built by Rolls-Royce come to Australia to form part of the submarines that we build in Australia.

“It reaffirms that we will, in this process, meet our international obligations in terms of non-proliferation and also in respect of the Rarotonga treaty. So this is the legal foundational underpinning of the agreement that we reached in March of last year. And in that sense it’s a very significant step forward on the AUKUS journey.”

Australia currently produces a relatively small amount of low-level radioactive waste and lesser volume of intermediate-level waste, according to information from the World Nuclear Organisation (WNO).

Each year, Australia produces about 45 cubic metres of radioactive waste, according to the WNO. In addition, the Australian Radioactive Waste Agency was set up to manage all radioactive waste in 2020 and there is ongoing consideration for national radioactive waste repository storage.

“We’ve agreed to have nuclear-powered submarines, that’s what we’ve agreed to. And the transfer of technology that’s related to that, that we’ll have access to it as we announced,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, speaking to a press conference in Perth on 9 August.

“There’ll be no nuclear transfer (of waste) from either the US or the UK. That’s the detail. That’s very clear. And that’s not part of the arrangement. Nuclear submarines have nuclear reactors in them, that’s the detail there as well.

“We work with our allies in the United States and the United Kingdom, and these arrangements are very clear.

“We’re very pleased that AUKUS, both Pillar I and Pillar II, has been agreed. It’s something that we have worked very carefully and closely on the detail.”

Final thoughts

The debate over Australia storing the nuclear material and waste produced by the nuclear submarines we receive is ridiculous and overblown. It’s part of the AUKUS deal, we have the space, it’s common-sense and it’s not a significant issue to be faced with.

This is in reality a golden opportunity that Australia has been gifted to better understand not only nuclear propulsion in submarines, but research, and comprehend nuclear energy, nuclear waste (yes that too) and countless other modern applications.

We already operate three uranium mines in this country and we are now at last on the path to a nuclear-powered navy. Nuclear research and technology should be a national triumph, not a fear tactic wielded for political gain at the cost of countrywide technological progress.