National Bosun's Call
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National Bosun’s Call Vol 2 No 4 Once Navy, Always Navy May 2021 Above: National President David Ma- nolas lays the NAA Wreath at the national ANZAC Day Me- morial Service at the Australi- an War Memorial (AWM) Can- berra with National President of the Air Force Association Group Captain Carl Schiller OAM CSM Rtd Left: National President NAA lays a wreath at the Last Post Cere- mony in the AWM on 28 April remembering POWRAN CK Maude Hebson. The WRANS celebrated the 80th Anniver- sary of its formation also that day. (See pages 10 and 11) National Newsletter of the Naval Association of Australia May 2021 National Bosun’s Call Page 2 Suicide The Constant Battle: Suicide by Royal Commission Veterans into Defence and October 2017 Last updated: 4 March 2020 Veteran Suicide Suicide in the serving and ex-service community Last updated: Suicide is an issue that affects all Australians. It is 28 April 2021 the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15 On 19 April 2021, the Prime Minister, the Hon Scott to 44, with around 8 people dying by suicide a day. Morrison MP, announced the Government will rec- Current and former members of the ADF, and their ommend to the Governor-General the establish- families, are not immune to this. ment of a Royal Commission into Defence and Vet- Suicide prevention and support to those families eran Suicide. who have been affected by the tragedy of suicide The Royal Commission is expected to examine the is a very high priority for the Australian Govern- systemic issues and any common themes and past ment. This is why in August 2016, the Government deaths by suicide of Australian Defence Force tasked the National Mental Health Commission members and veterans and the experience of (NMHC) to specifically look at suicide prevention members and veterans who may continue to be at services for current and former members of the risk of suicide. ADF, and their families. This includes all aspects of service in the Australi- Running concurrently to the Senate Inquiry’s inves- an Defence Force and the experience of those tigations, the NMHC found that suicide is a com- transitioning; the availability and quality of health plex issue that requires a multi-faceted service re- and support services; pre-service and post-service sponse to ensure veterans have access to the sup- issues for members and veterans; members’ and port they need, at the right time. As a result, the veterans’ social and family contexts, such as family Government has committed to action in four key breakdown, as well as housing and employment areas to help prevent suicide among Australia’s issues for members and veterans. current and former serving personnel and their families: The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel, the Hon Darren Chester MP, is 1. Improving suicide prevention and mental health leading a public consultation process to inform the support for current serving ADF members, vet- Terms of Reference. erans and their families; The Royal Commission will have the full range of 2. Improving the transition process for ADF mem- compulsory powers available to it such as to sum- bers moving from military life into post-service mon witnesses and hold public hearings, take evi- civilian life and provide targeted support to fami- dence and compel the production of documents lies; and witness statements. 3. Improving family support through engagement The Department of Veterans’ Affairs will participate of families and family sensitive practice; and fully in the process while maintaining the important supports and services to the veteran community. 4. Transforming the Department of Veterans’ Af- fairs systems, processes and organisational Information about the Royal Commission, including culture to better respond to the needs of Aus- the Terms of Reference, will continue to be updat- tralia’s veterans and their families. ed on this website. In considering the findings and recommendations of the Senate Inquiry Report, the Government has committed to continued and further action across The Naval Association of Australia Inc each of these four target areas. ABN 56 653 989 978 The Government is also committing $31 million to 221 Centenary Avenue a package of five new initiatives that will further MELTON VICTORIA 3337 support the mental health of current and ADF Patron In Chief: members, and their families. These measures in- HM The Queen of Australia. clude: National Patron $16.1 million over four years for a new Veteran His Excellency General The Honourable David Payment for veterans with mental health condi- Hurley AC DSC Retd Governor General of tions; Australia (Continued on page 13) May 2021 National Bosun’s Call Page 3 Joint Media release — Establishment of a Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide The Hon. Scott Morrison MP The Attorney-General, Michaelia Cash said the Prime Minister Attorney-General's Department will provide admin- The Hon Darren Chester MP istrative support to the Royal Commission. Minister for Veterans' Affairs "Reducing lives lost to suicide is a priority for the Minister for Defence Personnel Morrison Government." Senator the Hon. Michaelia Cash "Our aim for this Royal Commission is that it will Attorney-General shed light on the critical steps we need to take so Minister for Industrial Relations that we can reduce these heartbreaking cases of Monday 19 April 2021 suicide." Crucially, the Royal Commission will not defer, de- lay or limit, in any way, any proposed or an- The death of any Australian Defence Force member nounced policy, legislation or regulation that we or veteran is one death too many and a tragedy that are currently implementing. is deeply felt by all Australians. Tragically, and heartbreakingly, this includes death by suicide. The Government intends that the Royal Commis- sion and the National Commissioner for Defence Recognising this, the Government will take the step and Veteran Suicide Prevention will be established of recommending to the Governor-General the es- together and operate in a complementary way to tablishment of a Royal Commission into Defence achieve long-term change. and Veterans Suicide, following a period of consul- tation on draft Terms of Reference, with the relevant The Royal Commission will look at past deaths by community and state and territory governments. suicide (including suspected suicides and lived experience of suicide risks) from a systemic point The Royal Commission will complement the Gov- of view, while the National Commissioner will have ernment’s existing initiative to establish a perma- a forward-looking role, including overseeing the nent National Commission to proactively deal with implementation of the Royal Commission’s recom- future issues, including taking on other recommen- mendations. dations of a Royal Commission. The National Commissioner Bill currently before Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Royal Com- the Parliament will be amended to ensure their mission will be set up after listening to community work complements the work of the Royal Commis- calls for a national inquiry focusing on the systemic sion and examines deaths by suicide in the de- issues faced by Australian Defence Force members fence and veteran community that occur after the and veterans that too often results in their loss of life Royal Commission has handed down their final to suicide. report. “Suicide prevention is a key priority for the Federal Given the complex issues for consideration, and Government,” the Prime Minister said. the importance of hearing from Australian Defence “We have always recognised that the rate of suicide Force members, veterans and their families, the of Australian Defence Force members and veterans Government envisages that three Commissioners is unacceptably high,” the Prime Minister said. will be needed to lead the inquiry. Consultation is underway to appoint these candidates. “In recognising the sacrifices made by our serving and former members and their families on behalf of Minister Chester will lead a public consultation pro- the nation, we owe it to members, veterans and cess on the draft Terms of Reference and the their families to continue to take action.” Prime Minister will write to First Ministers inviting their contributions to the draft Terms of Reference Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said with the view of a joint Commonwealth-State Royal the Royal Commission was another step in our ef- Commission. forts to build confidence, trust and hope for current and future veterans and their families that they will The Federal Government is committed to ensuring be supported. all the systems of support for our veterans and their families are working together, and importantly “This will provide an opportunity for us all to reset, that when someone who may be struggling reach- further increase our understanding of this issue, and es out for help, which we are there to support unite the Parliament, the ex-service community, and them. the families who have been affected by suicide,” Minister Chester said. Media contacts “As a nation we take great pride in the men and Prime Minister’s Press Office: (02) 6277 7744 women who have served our nation in uniform, and Minister Chester’s office: C. Szigeti, 0455 739 810 as a Government we have committed to help them with any mental or physical issues that are a result Attorney-General’s office: G. Creighton, 0438 815 of that service.” 302 May 2021 National Bosun’s Call Page 4 Commissioning of HMAS Supply (II), Garden Island, Sydney Before I begin my remarks about HMAS Supply 10 April 2021 could I join with the Fleet Commander in acknowl- Governor General’s address at the ceremony. edging the passing yesterday of His Royal High- ness, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Ladies and gentlemen. In my Address to the Nation last night I said that it It’s a great delight for Linda and me to be with you was a sad and historic day.