A Victorian coroner recommends the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) be subject to independent audits of its handling of veterans' compensation claims following an inquest into the suicide of army veteran Jesse Bird
When 7.30 first revealed what had happened to Jesse Bird in 2017 it sparked outrage, prompting an official joint inquiry by Defence and DVA which recommended 19 urgent changes.
DVA Secretary Liz Cosson told the inquest Mr Bird's death had been the catalyst for substantial ongoing change and admitted significant failures by DVA had contributed to his decision to take his life. The Commonwealth went further in its defence of DVA, arguing that amounted to a vast conspiracy against Mr Bird which was not supported by the evidence, and it opposed the adverse findings sought by his family..
One piece of evidence crucial to the inquest was an internal DVA report by principal legal advisor Carolyn Spiers which found there was non-compliance with legislation and policy in the handling of Jesse Bird's case.
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