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Submission to Parliamentary Committee/ Veteran Suicide. Inquiry

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Submission to Parliamentary Committee/ Veteran Suicide. Inquiry Submission to Parliamentary Committee/ Veteran Suicide. Inquiry into suicide by veterans and ex-service personnel with particular reference to : a. The reason why Australian veterans and ex service personnel are committing suicide at such high rates, b. Previous reviews of military compensation arrangements and their failings, c. The Repatriation Medical Authority’s Statements of Principles, claims administration time limits, claims for detriment caused by defective administration, authorised medical treatment, level of compensation payments, including abuse, as contained in all military compensation arrangements, d. To investigate the progress of reforms within DVA, e. The administration of claims by DVA and the legislative or other constraints on effective rehabilitation and compensation for veterans, and f. Any other related matters. I enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy in 1968 and discharged in 1973. Whilst in the navy I served on HMAS Melbourne which was involved in a collision with an American destroyer USS Frank E Evans. On the 3rd June 1969, off the coast of South Vietnam in the South China Sea. I still can vividly remember this event to this day. I had been told 3 years ago that I had issues which I should be assessed by Veteran Affairs. I was subsequently subjected to a psychiatrist examination on 16th October, 2014. The report assessed me as having PTSD which was diagnosed to have been caused from the accident on HMAS Melbourne in 1969. It was accepted by DVA that I had PTSD. But when I requested compensation DVA then dragged this matter out till 22nd June 2016 and obviously didn’t like the previous diagnosis and subjected me to another psychiatrist report by a second Doctor. This second report confirmed the original diagnosis . Now DVA has said there is no lump sum compensation or any compensation for my PTSD which was clearly caused during service to the Navy. This is nothing new as I have ascertained that any member who has served in the Navy is subjected to this drawn out procedure and is very common that legal action has to be taken . When personnel have won their cases in court the DVA appeal the decisions and continue to drag out paying any compensation as I believe they who sit in Veteran Affairs are working with a guidelines to drag out all these cases in the hope that people will either pass away , commit suicide or give up. They use the threats of if matter goes to the Administration Tribunal and member loses then member is up for legal costs. With this threat I am sure lots of ex-service members either give up or commit suicide. My accident goes back 47 years and also there is the Voyager / Melbourne accident which is the probably most serious loss of Australian servicemen lives in our Australian history but still members still fight for compensation from that accident too. AS for the Melbourne / Frank E Evans accident off the coast of Vietnam it is also interesting that this is still being hidden in the secret list by the navy department. I question this too. Why is it the Navy department is the strongest objector to any compensation matters and hides vast amounts of information. Until Veteran Affairs change their ways of how the treat ex-servicemen and women when seeking compensation the suicide rates will continue and the blood is on their hands. We all served our country and should be treated with respect and cared for not treated like criminals. DVA has the motto- Saluting their service, if this is true they would be looking after Veterans and ex-servicemen and be keeping informed on all information that relates to their claim, THIS IS NOT HAPPENING. Withholding important information that would be beneficial for the wellbeing of ex- servicemen. I am quite happy to front personally to answer any questions and can be contacted Ian Sims.
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