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Public consultation sought for Terms of Reference on Royal Commission

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Public consultation is being sought from the Tasmanian veterans community on the Terms of Reference for the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

The Royal Commission was announced by the Australian Government in April 2021. The public consultation process is now open to help determine what the Royal Commission will cover and report on. The consultation process is open until May 21, 2021.

Once the Terms of Reference have been determined, the Royal Commission is expected to examine the systemic issues and any common themes and past deaths by suicide of Australian Defence Force members and veterans and the experience of members and veterans who may continue to be at risk of suicide.

This includes all aspects of service in the Australian Defence Force and the experience of those transitioning; the availability and quality of health and support services; pre-service and post-service issues for members and veterans; members’ and veterans’ social and family contexts, such as family breakdown, as well as housing and employment issues for members and veterans.

The Royal Commission is expected to commence in early July 2021 and continue for 18 months to 2 years.

Public input into the Terms of Reference can be provided online to either the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) or the Attorney-General’s Department.

The Attorney-General’s website Defence and Veteran Suicide Royal Commission – Public Consultation

The DVA website www.dva.gov.au/public-consultation-inform-terms-reference-royal-commission-defence-and-veteran-suicide

FAQs are also available on the DVA website for further details about the consultation process.