The Defence and Veterans Legal Service (DFAS) has called for the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide to hear the voices of First Nations veterans, saying it is "crucial" for the Commission to hear the stories of Indigenous Australians who have served their nation.
The Defence and Veterans Legal Service supports Australian Defence Force personnel and veterans, as well as their families, carers and supporters, to safely share their experiences with the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
Defence and Veterans Legal Service community engagement officer Maureen Bates-McKay said as part of the Royal Commission, Australia must honour the service of Indigenous veterans and examine the ongoing challenges they face.
"First Nations people have a proud history of serving in the Defence Force and it's vital for their stories to be heard by the Royal Commission," Ms Bates-McKay said.
Established in 2021, the Royal Commission is examining systemic issues and common themes in past deaths-by-suicide of Australian Defence Force members and veterans, including suspected suicides and live experience of suicide risks.
The Commission provided an interim report in August of 2022, with the Government's response tabled the following month.
The report stated the Commission heard from a panel of First Nations serving members and Ms Lee Smallwood, a Regional Indigenous Liaison Officer and Cultural Advisor to the Regional Indigenous Liaison Officer Network, who said "having the opportunity for the family to even know that their loved ones are going through a mental issue was one of the biggest things that often family don't even know".
Ms Bates-McKay said for changes to occur to address the rate of defence and veteran's suicide, the Commission would be well served to hear from more First Nations veterans and their families.
"There are problems in the military that must be fixed and this inquiry can help to make those changes. But it must hear from Indigenous veterans about their experiences," Ms Bates-McKay said.
Ms Bates-McKay's calls come as she represented the Defence and Veterans Legal Service at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Servicemen and Servicewomen Commemoration Service at Sydney's Hyde Park on Friday, where she laid a wreath in honour of First Nations service personnel.
She said the Defence and Veterans Legal Service is committed to supporting both First Nations veterans and their families.
"We can help you tell your story to the Royal Commission, and we also support the family members of veterans who want to make a submission to that inquiry," Ms Bates-McKay said.
"Our assistance is free, confidential and independent – and we provide it in every state and territory."
A Royal Commission spokesperson acknowledged Ms Bates-McKay's position, saying the Commission has and would like to hear from more Indigenous veterans and their families.
"The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide acknowledges the important contribution and sacrifice that Indigenous Australians have made to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and we honour their service," the spokesperson said.
"The Royal Commission has received a number of submissions from Indigenous Defence members and veterans and has heard evidence during public hearings about the experiences of Indigenous members of the ADF and Army Reserve."
"The Commission wants to hear from more First Nations current and former serving ADF members. We want to understand people's experiences serving in the military and after discharge, as well as where they think improvements could be made."
"Serving in the ADF also deeply impacts families, and we encourage family members to make a submission to the inquiry. We understand and appreciate that the idea of family for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders can be different than for non-Indigenous people and we are mindful and respectful of this."
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide's final report is due to be delivered to Government by June, 2024.
