RSL NSW Royal Commission Office

RSL NSW has established a Royal Commission Office at ANZAC House. The Office will provide support to all veterans in engagement with the Royal Commission and will include:

  • Circulating information and updates regarding the progress of the Royal Commission
  • Assistance for veterans in drafting submissions
  • Support for veterans in preparation for, and following appearances at, Royal Commission hearings
  • Assistance for RSL NSW-related entities, including sub-Branches, District Councils and RSL LifeCare Veteran Services in drafting submissions
  • Collating and drafting RSL NSW’s submission, building on the views of our members, sub-Branches and District Councils
  • Collaboration with RSL Australia
  • Ongoing monitoring of the response to the Royal Commission and its progress in implementing recommendations

Establishment of the Office will ensure the strongest response to the Royal Commission, and by doing so, also ensure the best support and outcomes for our valued members and the wider veteran community.

Should you wish to contact the RSL NSW Royal Commission Office, please do so at submissions@rslnsw.org.au or on 0499 441 291.

 

Summaries of Royal Commission proceedings
The RSL NSW Royal Commission Office prepares summaries of the Royal Commission hearing proceedings which are available at the foot of this page. A full summary for the final public hearing (from Monday 4 March to Thursday 28 March 2024) will be provided at the conclusion of the Hearing Block.

 

Interim Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide
On 11 August 2022, Royal Commissioners, Nick Kaldas APM (Chair), The Hon James Douglas QC and Dr Peggy Brown AO presented the Interim Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide to the Governor-General, His Excellency, General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd).

The Interim Report provides commentary on the following:

  • summary of work undertaken
  • preliminary observations
  • recommendations about urgent and immediate issues

View the Royal Commission Interim Report

Read the Australian Government Response to the Interim Report – September 2022

RSL Australia Interim Report Response – September 2022

RSL Australia – Annexure – Harmonisation of Legislation – September 2022

RSL Australia – Annexure – ESO System

RSL Australia – Annexure – Implementation Body

 

Submissions to the Royal Commission
During September 2021 the RSL NSW Royal Commission Office requested input from members to inform its submission to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. Thank you to the hundreds of members who completed the survey.

View the RSL NSW submission to the Royal Commission

The RSL Australia submission provides a consolidated and strategic view of the issues, risks and opportunities in addressing suicide prevention for our Defence members and Veterans at a national level. The RSL Australia submission incorporates the submissions of individual State and Territory Branches, including that of RSL NSW, and builds on the expertise of the 150,000 members, 1200 sub-Branches and 105 years of experience of the League.

View the RSL Australia submission to the Royal Commission

Should you wish to make an individual submission about your personal experience beyond how it relates to RSL NSW, please follow this link to the Royal Commission website. This site contains instructions for providing an individual submission, in both electronic and paper formats.

If you require assistance to make an individual submission to the Royal Commission, please contact submissions@rslnsw.org.au or 0499 441 291.

The Attorney-General’s Department has advised that as a part of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide two types of legal assistance arrangements will be available – a legal financial assistance scheme and a national legal advice service. Please follow this link for information about the assistance provided by the Australian Government.

 

Defence and Veterans Legal Service
The Defence and Veterans Legal Service is a free national service supporting Australian Defence Force personnel and veterans, and their families, carers and supporters to safely share their experiences with the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

For more information view this brochure or visit the Defence and Veterans Legal Service website.

 

More information
See our Advocacy for Veterans’ Health and Suicide page for reports, media releases and other background information related the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.