‘Deeply sorry’: Minister apologises for system failing Defence and veterans | katinacurtis
Veterans Minister Matt Keogh has apologised for the failings in Defence and the compensation system that have contributed to suicide rates and promised to respond speedily to royal commission recommendations.from the royal commission into Defence and veteran suicides, which was released on Thursday, said a slow and complex compensation claim process could harm people’s mental health and may contribute to suicidality.
“To people who have felt that they have not got the treatment that they deserve, I apologise for that.”and has lost a dozen friends “to their war within”, also offered “a heartfelt apology” to every Defence and veteran’s family who had lost someone to suicide.Keogh did not give a formal response to the report’s 13 recommendations, but said it was his view the government should get on with implementing them as quickly as possible.
In June, the Department of Veterans Affairs had almost 62,400 claims on hand but was yet to assign 41,800 of them to be examined. The wait time on claims has also grown significantly over the past five years, with the median processing time more than 300 days in some cases. RSL Australia ambassador Pete Rudland said it was vital for government and ex-service organisations to work together on the “mammoth task” of simplifying the system., warned the government had to be flexible if the department needed more than 500 people.
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