Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh calls AIHW report findings ‘tragic’ as Royal Commission reaches milestone

Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh has described the ongoing rate of suicide among Australian Defence Force veterans as “tragic”, after confronting new figures revealed it remains the leading cause of death for ex-service men and women under 30.

The sobering data, released on Monday by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, comes exactly one year after the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide handed down 122 recommendations aimed at tackling the crisis.

Only nine recommendations have been “fully implemented” so far.

“It’s a tragedy,” Mr Keogh said.

“It’s a tragedy for them. It’s a tragedy for the family members that they leave behind, and it’s why we’re so committed to making sure that we implement the recommendations from this Royal Commission.”

The AIHW figures show suicide accounted for 42 per cent of deaths among male veterans under 30 between 2021 and 2023, and 44 per cent of deaths among their female counterparts.

In the same age group in the general population, suicide accounted for 30 per cent of male deaths and 22 per cent for females.

“The rate of suicide amongst the defence and veteran community is higher than the general population and that’s why . . . we are taking action swiftly,” Mr Keogh said.

“Every time we see a report like we’ve received today, it just reinforces the need to work through those recommendations in a methodical way, making sure that we’re doing the work to get them implemented as soon as possible.”

Since 1997, 1840 serving and ex-serving ADF members have taken their own lives, with 73 deaths recorded in 2023 alone.

Paul Pham, head of AIHW’s defence and veterans unit, said the toll of suicide stretched far beyond the individual.

“It deeply affects families and loved ones and sends ripple effects throughout Australia’s defence and veteran community,” he said.

Although the report paints a grim picture, there are signs of progress. The AIHW noted a decline in suicide rates for ex-service men and women since the mid-2010s.

“It is a good sign that the rate of suicide for ex-serving male and females hasn’t been increasing,” Mr Pham said.

“The goal is always to try and observe these things going down (but) veterans suicide remains an issue of concern in the Australian community.”

Mr Keogh said some of the Royal Commission’s recommendations are already making a difference on the ground — but admitted it could be some time before the full 122 recommendations are enforced.

“We are working through the final timelines,” he said.

“My expectation at this stage is that the vast majority will be implemented by next year, but there will be some that will follow on a little after that.

“Some of the recommendations specifically say that work should happen in certain time frames, and some of them call for reviews to happen a few years after the implementation of recommendations.”

Member of the RSLWA board and former serviceman David Thomas said the support for transitioning ADF members is significantly better than in previous decades.

“I’m not saying it’s perfect,” he said.

“I’m just saying that the transition is a lot more easier for those making that move out of military life today.”

RSLWA vice president and veteran Miquela Riley said she found the statistics “harrowing”, but backed the government’s current approach.

“I work closely with veterans, and I am a veteran myself, so it’s harrowing,” she said.

“A lot of defense members that I’ve worked with have had issues with their mental health and potential attempts at suicide, which is horrifying.

“I think the government is doing enough. Would we like things to be faster, absolutely. But we’d also like the government to get it right, so we’re happy to take the time to get things right.”

The Royal Commission is due to deliver its final report and findings in June 2025.