1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:01,800 Speaker 1: Well, we know that, the Federal Member for Solomon, Luke 2 00:00:01,840 --> 00:00:04,120 Speaker 1: Gosling says, as the top end continues to wait for 3 00:00:04,160 --> 00:00:07,400 Speaker 1: the promised Veterans and Families Well Being Center to be established. 4 00:00:07,680 --> 00:00:11,080 Speaker 1: The latest Australian Institute of Health and Welfare figures on 5 00:00:11,119 --> 00:00:14,880 Speaker 1: defense and veterans suicides, so we are failing our veterans 6 00:00:14,880 --> 00:00:18,040 Speaker 1: and we urgently need a Royal commission into this tragedy 7 00:00:18,079 --> 00:00:20,200 Speaker 1: to talk more about it. Is the Federal Member for 8 00:00:20,239 --> 00:00:23,799 Speaker 1: Solomon and the co chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Veterans, 9 00:00:23,840 --> 00:00:26,960 Speaker 1: Luke Gosling. Luke, good morning, Good morning, Mattie. Look, can 10 00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:29,280 Speaker 1: you talk us through some of the latest figures in 11 00:00:29,320 --> 00:00:33,520 Speaker 1: this AIHW report on Defense and veterans suicides. It's still 12 00:00:33,520 --> 00:00:34,479 Speaker 1: far too many, isn't it. 13 00:00:35,120 --> 00:00:37,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's a lot, Mattie. The latest figures we've got 14 00:00:37,200 --> 00:00:42,800 Speaker 2: through in that report is in the thirties for twenty eighteen, 15 00:00:44,560 --> 00:00:47,440 Speaker 2: and you know that's almost as many as we've lost 16 00:00:47,479 --> 00:00:54,000 Speaker 2: in twenty years of combat operations in Afghanistan. So it's 17 00:00:54,160 --> 00:00:57,560 Speaker 2: still a significant problem. And what we're finding the most 18 00:00:57,600 --> 00:01:02,360 Speaker 2: is that those that may not have necessarily even served 19 00:01:02,560 --> 00:01:07,520 Speaker 2: overseas but got discharged for medical reasons they were sixty 20 00:01:07,600 --> 00:01:14,680 Speaker 2: six percent more likely to die by suicide than their contemporaries. 21 00:01:15,600 --> 00:01:19,520 Speaker 2: So that is a concern. And one of the issues 22 00:01:19,560 --> 00:01:25,080 Speaker 2: here is that massive loss of identity where everything the 23 00:01:25,080 --> 00:01:28,759 Speaker 2: military when you're in it, obviously know from personal experiences 24 00:01:28,800 --> 00:01:34,280 Speaker 2: that it's huge. It's your mates, it's your career, it's 25 00:01:34,319 --> 00:01:41,000 Speaker 2: your vocation. And then when you injury yourself, which can 26 00:01:41,440 --> 00:01:45,720 Speaker 2: happen in the military, then and you're asked to leave, 27 00:01:45,920 --> 00:01:51,080 Speaker 2: then it's that sort of feeling of loss of identity 28 00:01:51,400 --> 00:01:53,840 Speaker 2: and wondering how you're going to go on the outside 29 00:01:54,320 --> 00:01:59,640 Speaker 2: and dealing with the processes of the claims process through DBA. 30 00:02:00,320 --> 00:02:04,400 Speaker 2: And I'm not having a go at the Department of 31 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:08,920 Speaker 2: Defense or Veterans Affairs or even the federal government. A 32 00:02:08,960 --> 00:02:11,839 Speaker 2: lot of good stuff has come out recently, like there's 33 00:02:11,880 --> 00:02:14,959 Speaker 2: some great stuff in the federal budget for mental health. 34 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:22,440 Speaker 2: DVa's processes are getting better, but there still is a need, 35 00:02:22,520 --> 00:02:24,960 Speaker 2: I think, to get to the bottom once and for 36 00:02:25,040 --> 00:02:30,560 Speaker 2: all after World Wars, our experience with Vietnam and into 37 00:02:30,600 --> 00:02:33,519 Speaker 2: the current day where there's still too many service people 38 00:02:33,880 --> 00:02:40,360 Speaker 2: patriot Australians becoming unwell, and obviously that's the reason behind 39 00:02:40,720 --> 00:02:43,960 Speaker 2: the well being center that was funded by the federal government. 40 00:02:44,360 --> 00:02:47,840 Speaker 2: Well hasn't been funded yet, it doesn't exist yet. But 41 00:02:48,440 --> 00:02:50,840 Speaker 2: eighteen months on from the last federal election, I guess 42 00:02:50,960 --> 00:02:55,239 Speaker 2: what I'm saying is let's get the well being center established, 43 00:02:56,000 --> 00:02:59,560 Speaker 2: but also let's for once and for all have a 44 00:02:59,560 --> 00:03:05,359 Speaker 2: look at the process through defense into veterans affairs and 45 00:03:05,440 --> 00:03:10,160 Speaker 2: the roles of ex service organizations to stop people that 46 00:03:10,200 --> 00:03:12,000 Speaker 2: have served us for taking their own lives. 47 00:03:12,240 --> 00:03:14,919 Speaker 1: Where are we at with the Veterans and Families well 48 00:03:14,960 --> 00:03:17,200 Speaker 1: Being Center for Darwin. I know it was something that 49 00:03:17,280 --> 00:03:20,360 Speaker 1: Federal Labor had promised going into the election. Was it 50 00:03:20,400 --> 00:03:23,000 Speaker 1: something that the Liberal government had matched? Are they committed 51 00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:23,440 Speaker 1: to doing that? 52 00:03:24,600 --> 00:03:30,600 Speaker 2: So they announced that they are, and they've now selected 53 00:03:31,280 --> 00:03:34,840 Speaker 2: a very good ex service organization called Mates for Mates. 54 00:03:35,480 --> 00:03:40,000 Speaker 2: They'll establish the services here in Darwen. It's unclear where 55 00:03:40,040 --> 00:03:43,560 Speaker 2: they'll physically operate from it this stage or indeed I 56 00:03:43,640 --> 00:03:49,160 Speaker 2: understand they might be close to selecting a general manager 57 00:03:49,440 --> 00:03:53,320 Speaker 2: or a CEO for the facility. But it's a year 58 00:03:53,320 --> 00:03:57,000 Speaker 2: and a half now. We're getting on. And whilst I 59 00:03:57,080 --> 00:04:00,480 Speaker 2: always go to great links and I will to say 60 00:04:00,520 --> 00:04:02,720 Speaker 2: that two employers out there the best thing you can 61 00:04:02,760 --> 00:04:06,520 Speaker 2: do is to employ a veteran because they've got a 62 00:04:06,560 --> 00:04:10,320 Speaker 2: whole bunch of skills and energy and drive and they 63 00:04:10,360 --> 00:04:16,560 Speaker 2: can just get things done. But there are, albeit small, 64 00:04:16,800 --> 00:04:20,000 Speaker 2: but there are veterans right now in the greater Darwin 65 00:04:20,080 --> 00:04:24,040 Speaker 2: area who are on the edge and people that I 66 00:04:24,120 --> 00:04:27,240 Speaker 2: work within the ex service community are working them with 67 00:04:27,279 --> 00:04:31,520 Speaker 2: them on a daily basis, and we're still waiting to 68 00:04:31,600 --> 00:04:36,400 Speaker 2: see that the well being center and the services come about. 69 00:04:36,680 --> 00:04:39,239 Speaker 2: There are some good news with an organization called Soldier 70 00:04:39,279 --> 00:04:42,560 Speaker 2: On who have now got employed people, full time people 71 00:04:42,880 --> 00:04:45,880 Speaker 2: on the ground in Darwin that are there to help 72 00:04:46,440 --> 00:04:50,760 Speaker 2: with that transition from the military into employment. Because we 73 00:04:50,839 --> 00:04:54,640 Speaker 2: know that if that happens, and obviously it's great to 74 00:04:54,680 --> 00:04:57,599 Speaker 2: have soldier On supporting that process, then we're going to 75 00:04:57,640 --> 00:05:02,039 Speaker 2: get a better outcome with our veterans cohort out there. 76 00:05:02,040 --> 00:05:06,440 Speaker 2: But yeah, we continue Federal Labor has been consistent with this. 77 00:05:06,520 --> 00:05:10,480 Speaker 2: We continue to call on the federal government to announce 78 00:05:10,480 --> 00:05:14,640 Speaker 2: a Royal Commission into Veteran suicide. Let's get all the 79 00:05:14,760 --> 00:05:19,440 Speaker 2: experts to provide all the guidance on how we can 80 00:05:19,520 --> 00:05:21,760 Speaker 2: do this better, and that's only going to be better 81 00:05:21,800 --> 00:05:24,039 Speaker 2: for everyone into in the long term. 82 00:05:24,520 --> 00:05:26,800 Speaker 1: I know in February Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a 83 00:05:26,920 --> 00:05:31,239 Speaker 1: National Commissioner for Defense and Veteran suicides. Is that different 84 00:05:31,320 --> 00:05:34,640 Speaker 1: to a Royal commission? Though we've got the commissioner. Is 85 00:05:34,960 --> 00:05:37,239 Speaker 1: there going to be a royal commission into this though. 86 00:05:38,839 --> 00:05:43,360 Speaker 2: The government, the federal government, aren't committed to a royal 87 00:05:43,360 --> 00:05:46,440 Speaker 2: commission And this is sort of a workaround is to 88 00:05:46,520 --> 00:05:50,080 Speaker 2: announce this position, which is and I hope it doesn't 89 00:05:50,080 --> 00:05:54,760 Speaker 2: become this, but it's essentially a glorified national coroner to 90 00:05:54,880 --> 00:05:59,200 Speaker 2: look into those who are those veterans who have committed 91 00:05:59,200 --> 00:06:02,560 Speaker 2: suicide and to sort of work backwards the ambulance at 92 00:06:02,560 --> 00:06:05,120 Speaker 2: the bottom of the cliff, to workout what happened in 93 00:06:05,120 --> 00:06:09,840 Speaker 2: that individual's case, what services did they access, Where did 94 00:06:09,839 --> 00:06:13,200 Speaker 2: they put their hand up and say they needed help, 95 00:06:13,600 --> 00:06:18,680 Speaker 2: or why weren't they identified as someone needing help? Now 96 00:06:19,120 --> 00:06:23,120 Speaker 2: State and territory coroners obviously already provide that service, and 97 00:06:24,440 --> 00:06:29,640 Speaker 2: it was a person that is very experienced, but that 98 00:06:29,880 --> 00:06:33,640 Speaker 2: at the end of the day is from the system itself. 99 00:06:34,040 --> 00:06:37,479 Speaker 2: So what we're arguing on behalf of veterans and I'm 100 00:06:37,520 --> 00:06:39,640 Speaker 2: getting contacted by a lot of veterans in Darwen and 101 00:06:39,680 --> 00:06:42,800 Speaker 2: Parmesan saying Luke, we still need that Royal Commission and 102 00:06:42,839 --> 00:06:46,640 Speaker 2: I agree, because we need an outside look into the 103 00:06:46,640 --> 00:06:49,720 Speaker 2: system that cares for people who serve our country and 104 00:06:49,720 --> 00:06:51,440 Speaker 2: that's how we'll get the best recommendations. 105 00:06:51,839 --> 00:06:55,560 Speaker 1: So what powers I guess does the commissioner have? I 106 00:06:55,560 --> 00:06:58,120 Speaker 1: guess you mentioned some before. Are they still able to 107 00:06:58,120 --> 00:07:01,839 Speaker 1: provide recommendations and then can they be put forward towards Parliament? 108 00:07:01,839 --> 00:07:03,839 Speaker 1: I guess what is the big difference between the commissioner 109 00:07:04,080 --> 00:07:04,799 Speaker 1: and a commission. 110 00:07:06,800 --> 00:07:09,880 Speaker 2: The work of the commissioner is a lot more in 111 00:07:10,000 --> 00:07:14,240 Speaker 2: house whereas obviously a royal commission. And this is a 112 00:07:14,280 --> 00:07:20,240 Speaker 2: whole idea behind a royal commission is it's a public process. Now, 113 00:07:20,880 --> 00:07:27,800 Speaker 2: no one will certainly my experience and the fact that 114 00:07:28,200 --> 00:07:31,520 Speaker 2: my brother's are veterans, my dad's a veteran, his dad 115 00:07:32,320 --> 00:07:36,800 Speaker 2: pop was a veteran. There is the Isralian Army, in 116 00:07:36,800 --> 00:07:42,560 Speaker 2: Theustralie Defense Force are magnificent institutions. The Department of Veterans 117 00:07:42,560 --> 00:07:45,040 Speaker 2: Affairs has great people in it doing a great job. 118 00:07:45,840 --> 00:07:49,400 Speaker 2: That doesn't mean the system's perfect, that doesn't mean we're not. 119 00:07:51,360 --> 00:07:54,120 Speaker 2: It's our responsibility to make sure that the people who 120 00:07:54,160 --> 00:07:56,520 Speaker 2: sign up. And I'm approached by parents all the time. 121 00:07:56,800 --> 00:08:03,200 Speaker 2: You know, should little Johnny, little Sally joint? And I 122 00:08:03,240 --> 00:08:09,720 Speaker 2: say yes? But the confidence to say yes is one 123 00:08:09,760 --> 00:08:14,600 Speaker 2: of patriotism in that people serving our country. There's no 124 00:08:14,800 --> 00:08:18,000 Speaker 2: more important time than right now facing all the challenges 125 00:08:18,040 --> 00:08:20,640 Speaker 2: we do to have good people in our defense forces. 126 00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:23,520 Speaker 2: But it also doubles the responsibility on us to make 127 00:08:23,560 --> 00:08:27,080 Speaker 2: sure that the supports around them when they transition are 128 00:08:27,080 --> 00:08:29,800 Speaker 2: the best they can possibly be, so that they continue 129 00:08:31,480 --> 00:08:36,880 Speaker 2: as healthy members of the community, healthy families, well families. 130 00:08:37,080 --> 00:08:38,960 Speaker 2: That's the most important thing here, and I think an 131 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:42,240 Speaker 2: outside inview is going to get us a better result. 132 00:08:42,440 --> 00:08:45,600 Speaker 1: Look, just coming back to those support services, Darwin City 133 00:08:45,640 --> 00:08:48,360 Speaker 1: has been without an RSL clubhouse for more than two 134 00:08:48,440 --> 00:08:52,240 Speaker 1: years now and it really does quite minimize their footprint. 135 00:08:52,280 --> 00:08:54,240 Speaker 1: And I guess that the services that they can offer. 136 00:08:54,520 --> 00:08:56,480 Speaker 1: Do you think a lack of RSL presence in the 137 00:08:56,520 --> 00:08:58,800 Speaker 1: city is having an effect on our veterans And comes 138 00:08:58,800 --> 00:09:01,040 Speaker 1: back to the fact that they're I guess a lack 139 00:09:01,080 --> 00:09:02,760 Speaker 1: of some of those support services. 140 00:09:03,440 --> 00:09:06,360 Speaker 2: What we did a little while ago is and when 141 00:09:06,360 --> 00:09:09,080 Speaker 2: I say I was able through some grand funding to 142 00:09:09,160 --> 00:09:11,960 Speaker 2: support the RSL to set up Bill Roy House at 143 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:15,760 Speaker 2: the rath Base. So that's been a great interim well 144 00:09:15,800 --> 00:09:19,640 Speaker 2: being center if you like. Together with Veterans Australia and 145 00:09:19,720 --> 00:09:22,880 Speaker 2: Tea out in the rural area and the Palmerston RSL, 146 00:09:23,320 --> 00:09:27,880 Speaker 2: there have been the three main touch points for veterans. 147 00:09:29,360 --> 00:09:34,920 Speaker 2: But again they're very very good volunteers. What we need 148 00:09:34,960 --> 00:09:38,000 Speaker 2: is permanent professional people and this is what the well 149 00:09:38,000 --> 00:09:43,119 Speaker 2: Being Center is supposed to provide. Counselors, but full time counselors, 150 00:09:43,400 --> 00:09:45,640 Speaker 2: full time people as we have now with Soldier on 151 00:09:45,720 --> 00:09:50,080 Speaker 2: helping people into work. So let's I guess separate that 152 00:09:50,160 --> 00:09:55,199 Speaker 2: in a way from where a future Darwin RSL should go. 153 00:09:55,520 --> 00:09:58,440 Speaker 2: Should they rebuild on their current site, should they go 154 00:09:58,520 --> 00:10:02,520 Speaker 2: to the Vick in the mall. There's various sites that 155 00:10:03,160 --> 00:10:07,160 Speaker 2: I'm sure are being talked about at the moment. What 156 00:10:07,640 --> 00:10:11,320 Speaker 2: is important to veterans that I've been speaking with, and 157 00:10:11,400 --> 00:10:14,440 Speaker 2: I don't speak for all veterans at all, but just 158 00:10:14,920 --> 00:10:18,600 Speaker 2: I have conversations with a lot of them, is that 159 00:10:18,679 --> 00:10:23,680 Speaker 2: the sacredness of that cenotaph area is maintained and the 160 00:10:23,760 --> 00:10:28,600 Speaker 2: community is supportive of what happens at that site. Around 161 00:10:28,640 --> 00:10:33,520 Speaker 2: the cenotaph. That's what's important there. But there's no doubt 162 00:10:33,760 --> 00:10:38,160 Speaker 2: that everyone wants to see the RSL rebuild. It's an 163 00:10:38,200 --> 00:10:41,320 Speaker 2: important part of our community and I look forward to 164 00:10:42,640 --> 00:10:47,720 Speaker 2: just having my voice as does everyone else in Darwin 165 00:10:47,840 --> 00:10:50,840 Speaker 2: and the greater Darwin area about the future. But I 166 00:10:50,840 --> 00:10:55,880 Speaker 2: would just remind everyone that a club is a club, 167 00:10:56,320 --> 00:11:01,960 Speaker 2: but our veterans are our veterans and supports support services 168 00:11:01,960 --> 00:11:05,600 Speaker 2: for them are absolutely essential, and we still haven't got 169 00:11:05,640 --> 00:11:10,520 Speaker 2: permanent support services here. In saying that, I just want 170 00:11:10,559 --> 00:11:13,920 Speaker 2: to take my hat off to Open Arms now. They 171 00:11:13,960 --> 00:11:18,280 Speaker 2: are government funded out in Winelli. They are there to 172 00:11:18,440 --> 00:11:22,000 Speaker 2: support you used to be called veterans and veterans Families 173 00:11:22,080 --> 00:11:26,760 Speaker 2: counseling services. They've got professional people to assist you. So 174 00:11:26,800 --> 00:11:30,000 Speaker 2: if you need that support, reach out to Open Arms, 175 00:11:30,679 --> 00:11:33,800 Speaker 2: reach out to your local ex service organizations, and let's 176 00:11:34,040 --> 00:11:37,000 Speaker 2: get the best possible services for our people that we can. 177 00:11:37,200 --> 00:11:39,520 Speaker 1: We certainly can. The Federal Member for Solomon, Luke Gosling 178 00:11:39,520 --> 00:11:40,760 Speaker 1: will have to leave it there. Thank you so much 179 00:11:40,800 --> 00:11:41,600 Speaker 1: for your time this morning. 180 00:11:41,640 --> 00:11:42,720 Speaker 2: Thanks for your time, Maddie 181 00:11:42,800 --> 00:11:45,160 Speaker 1: And if you or anyone you know has been affected 182 00:11:45,200 --> 00:11:48,200 Speaker 1: by this conversation can also contact Lafeline on thirteen eleven 183 00:11:48,360 --> 00:11:48,800 Speaker 1: fourteen