Pro Patria Centre response to the Royal Commission’s Interim Report
The Board of the Pro Patria Centre welcomes the recommendations in the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide Interim Report.
The Interim report gives more weight to the recommendations from various reports and enquiries undertaken in recent years. Particular reference is made to the productivity Commission Report and the Report from the Interim National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention and Dr Boss’s recommendations. Dr Boss identified the need for a lifetime wellbeing approach. The Pro Patria Centre was established for this exact purpose. Holistic, integrated mental and physical health for Veterans and their families.
The Government needs to find the political will to:
Harmonise the legislation. The current complexity makes it impossible for many to engage with DVA
Expeditiously clear the backlog of claims. The delays are unjust and veterans are being put at increased risk by the delays.
Improve the legal protections for witnesses still serving so they can tell their stories
It is encouraging to see the interim report sets deadlines for action.
Locally led, grassroots organisations like the Pro Patria Centre are critical boots on the ground, connecting veterans and family members to proven treatments, solutions and social networks as they navigate a better life for themselves and their families. Pro Patria Centre is putting Veterans and Families first.
Pro Patria Centre looks forward to the hearings to be held in Wagga Wagga in November and encourage veterans, family and community members to make submissions.
Anyone seeking advice on how to engage with the Royal Commission can find help via the legal service partners on the Pro Patria Centre website.
If you or someone you know needs assistance please contact:
Lifeline tel. 13 11 14
Open Arms tel. 1800 011 046
In an emergency call 000
MEDIA CONTACTS
Jason Frost, PPC Board 0412 207 859
Jacqui Van de Velde, PPC Board 0413 301 088
