With the next round of public hearings for the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide occurring in Sydney, there has never been a more important time for veterans and their families to have their say.

The revelations at the first round of hearings in Brisbane last year and in Sydney this week have been truly shocking, but they highlighted the value of this investigation and why many have advocated so strongly for it.

I want to thank the many witnesses who came forward at the hearings and showed incredible bravery in sharing their stories, particularly those with lived experience of suicide.

Through their evidence, we heard hazing, physical and sexual harassment, and mistreatment of women and recruits are still rife in the ADF.

We heard searing accounts of current and former service people, such as young recruits Daniel Garforth and Teri Bailey, tragically committing suicide after being bullied and abused by their chain of command.

We heard many of the families were kept in the dark by Defence about their child’s mental health or treated appallingly after they had ended their lives.

In recent weeks, there have been more such stories of men and women in uniform, like Deborah Morris, who have spoken about shocking abuse, and had their careers and lives ruined when they tried to speak out.

It’s vitally important the inquiry examines systemic and institutional failures in Defence and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), and that there is accountability for any wrongdoing.

On a similar note, the last hearings received evidence that veterans are suffering severe psychological harm as a result of dangerously long wait times for claims with DVA, an issue all too familiar to many veterans.

In summary, the Royal Commission hearings to date have helped to shine a light on serious issues in relation to ADF culture (or cultures), leadership and accountability, and the transition from service to civilian life.

Over the coming weeks and months, we will continue hear more troubling accounts like these from defence personnel, veterans and those who have lost loved ones to suicide or experienced mental health issues.

These will be very difficult to hear, but it’s imperative that we hear them.

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for lasting change that will make a difference to the lives of current and former defence personnel and their families.

I encourage everyone in the defence and veteran communities, and anyone interested, to engage with this important process by making a submission and appearing at a public or private hearing.

Following these public hearings in Sydney, more will be held in Townsville, Darwin, Wagga Wagga and Canberra, with other locations to be announced later.

An independent legal advisory service, legal financial assistance scheme, and counselling and support services are available for witnesses.

It’s pleasing that people are engaging and the commission has so far received more than 1,100 submissions and 250 requests for private sessions.

It highlights the need for the commission and relevant agencies like DVA to follow up and provide meaningful support for veterans and families who participate in this process.

To that end, Labor wants to ensure the commissioners and their secretariat have all the resources they need to do this.

And while it is expected that the Royal Commission will recommend long-term structural changes to our broken veteran support system, we need to progress urgent reforms now – like ensuring DVA is properly resourced so it can process claims faster.

The Government and its departments can’t use the commission as an excuse to kick the can down the road.

There have been more than 50 other inquiries into abuse and Defence culture over the years, which have produced about 700 recommendations.  

We can’t afford for this to be just another review.

Shayne Neumann is the Opposition spokesman for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel

This opinion piece was first published in The Daily Telegraph on Wednesday, 16 February 2022.