Tea Tree Gully Returned and Services League

Ms LUETHEN (King) (15:52): It was a privilege to again attend the annual president's dinner at the Tea Tree Gully RSL sub-branch. Thank you to those members who created such a special setting for us. This year, I was particularly struck by the importance of President Mal Fergusson's speech, and so I will share some of his key points today. Mal discussed a crisis of welfare for veterans. He said that the immediate withdrawal of the troops from war-torn Afghanistan only a couple of months ago has caused unknown angst amongst Australian veterans. He told us:

I have been thinking of the joint effort it will take to ease some of the latent pain that must be with all those who served in that 20 years of combatant duties.

Mal updated the attendees at the dinner about the alarming suicide statistics in reports put out by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Mal said:

The report outlines that 373,500 men and women have served over the last 36 [years], and tragically 1,273 have taken their own lives in the past 20 years.

Alarmingly, ex-service women are twice as likely to take their own lives than other Australians. I asked those at my table why they thought the suicide rates for ex-service women were double. They told me that men and women often do the same job in defence but there are men who still choose to exert control over these serving women. This must stop, this domination of women. He told us that Navy vets have the highest suicide risk of all services. The suicide rate of ex-members reflects the challenges some service people face transitioning from military service back to civilian life and the critical importance of transition planning and support.

Mal called for all groups and major ex-service organisations to work hand in hand doing what is best for these veterans. He asked for support from community members and government to promote the current programs available to veterans. Mal told us that sometimes some of those people may require assistance in areas such as psychological support. He said that currently there are advocates available and assisting in the never-ending number of ex and currently serving members of our armed forces; however, advocates are not psychiatrists or psychologists and it is not within their expertise to give that type of advice.

Mal told us that our advocates give expert advice on compensation and general wellbeing. He also told us that, concerningly, DVA is struggling with the results of disgruntled clients who spread negativity about the efforts of advocates and those negative comments only delay possible candidates approaching DVA for help and that alone is a dangerous situation for these people to be in.

Mal called out for veterans who have experienced the benefits of DVA services and had a positive quality change in their life to speak up and highlight DVA efforts in a positive mode when in discussion with their contemporaries. He said that this will hopefully persuade more ex-service members to seek out the support that they need. Mal spoke about some of the service providers he would like us to promote, including Open Arms, which has a 24-hour service phone line, which is 1800 011 046, and a website, openarms.gov.au.

Another service provider is the SA Health Veteran Wellbeing Centre. Thanks to an additional $5 million in commonwealth funding, the Repat will be home to the dedicated Veteran Wellbeing Centre. This centre offers a dedicated area to address all aspects of veteran health, delivering health and wellbeing services to assist veterans and their families to transition successfully to civilian life, including advocacy, education, skills and employment, housing and accommodation support. Four well-established veteran organisations have been selected as anchor tenants at the centre: Plympton Veterans Centre, Open Arms, RSL SA and Soldier On.

If you are concerned about the health or wellbeing of yourself or a loved one, seek support and information by accessing help from Open Arms, StandBy—Support After Suicide, Living Beyond Suicide, Lifeline, Beyond Blue, Safe Zone Support, Mental Health Triage and the Suicide Call Back Service. Further information and support services can be found at Veterans SA. At the dinner, after Malcolm's speech, I offered to share this message in the parliament. I also ask for further support in the northern suburbs.