Action on Royal Commission recommendations
Implementation of the response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s Final Report has begun. This incremental delivery program will result in significant changes to the culture, systems and processes supporting Defence personnel, veterans and veteran families.
A foundational recommendation was for the establishment of the Defence and Veterans’ Services Commission (DVSC), which is to provide independent oversight and drive system reform to improve suicide prevention and wellbeing outcomes for serving and ex-serving ADF members.
Mr Michael Manthorpe PSM has been appointed as the Interim Head of the DVSC. Mr Manthorpe served in the Australian Public Service for 37 years, including as the Commonwealth Ombudsman and Defence Force Ombudsman from 2017 to 2021.
The new Veterans’ Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Act 2025 brings together the 3 current systems governing veterans’ entitlements under a single Act, as well as establishing the DVSC in legislation to commence on 29 September 2025. Mr Manthorpe is leading a team in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) to support the full establishment of the DVSC. The Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee will review the legislation establishing the DVSC and report by 29 August.
A Taskforce has been established within PM&C to support the implementation of the Government’s response. The Taskforce will draw on expertise from across Government to consider and advise on the detail of implementation.
DVA has appointed Deputy Secretary Teena Blewitt to lead a taskforce within the Department to deliver on recommendations 87 and 89, focusing on the co-design of the new agency on wellbeing and the national peak body for the veteran community.
The veteran community has been invited to co-design the implementation of the above recommendations with DVA, with the first co-design discovery sessions commencing recently. There will also be an opportunity to share your views via a survey and online submission process – further information will be available via the DVA website and other communication channels.
While the Royal Commission’s recommendations provide a foundation for change, we recognise that creating meaningful and lasting improvements requires more than policy directives. What’s needed are the lived experiences and first-hand insights of veterans, their families, and others directly impacted. Sharing unique perspectives will help us better understand the real challenges and develop practical solutions to create genuine, lasting change for the veteran community.
DVA is fully committed to implementing the Government’s response to the Royal Commission’s Final Report. We will continue to work in partnership with Defence, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, other federal agencies, the states and territories, and the veteran community to ensure real and meaningful change for those who have given so much.
Please see the DVA website and our social media pages for the latest information, including on how you can get involved in the co-design and consultation process.