The Interim Report made 13 key recommendations which fall within three key themes: improving the claims process, Royal Commission administration and access to information by loved ones.

Responding to the Interim Report Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel, the Hon Matt Keogh MP said, “There’s no doubt some veterans and families have not had a good experience dealing with Defence and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and have not been able to access the support they deserve. For that, we are sorry.

“Our Government is committed to the task of saving lives and ensuring a better future for our Defence and veteran communities. After years of reports, too many deaths, too many lives changed for the worse and endless discussion, it’s time to get on with it.”

The Royal Commission’s Interim Report is the culmination of the inquiry’s work to date, encompassing over 2,000 submissions, 178 private sessions and testimony from 208 witnesses.

You can read the full Government Response here: Australian Government Response to the Interim Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide – September 2022 (dva.gov.au).

and also the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs full media statement here: https://minister.dva.gov.au/minister-veterans-affairs.