James Douglas and Nick Kaldas address the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. For support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. Video via AAP.
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00:00It became obvious to us during those consultations overseas that what we were doing was of great
00:10interest to our colleagues abroad.
00:12It has been more wide-ranging, comprehensive and focused on the problem of suicide than
00:18some of their own inquiries.
00:20Three commissioners felt all along that this inquiry was at least a once-in-a-generation,
00:25possibly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be grasped by the government, the ADF,
00:30the DBA and the ex-service organisations to face the myriad issues we have brought into
00:35the light and then to deal with them.
00:37Or as Senator Lambie said to me, mate, there won't be another one in our lifeline.
00:43From unacceptable behaviour, to sexual and other forms of abuse, to the disciplinary
00:47system being weaponised against those who complain, to inadequate transition arrangements,
00:53to delays in unfair treatment, to the DBA claims processes – all of these factors
00:58have led to the trauma experienced by thousands of people who have come forward.