Australia is examining its handling of veteran affairs and is questioning senior public servants over issues such as suicide and support.
Currently, the Royal Commission on Defence and Veteran Suicide is holding hearings in Tasmania for seven days—home to the most veterans per capita of any jurisdiction in Australia, with over 17,500 veterans.
Kate Pope, the Repatriation Commission deputy president, along with a senior official, will give evidence. The body is in charge of providing benefits and treatment to veterans and their families.
The inquiry had already heard that veterans had difficulty connecting with appropriate services and support organisations—with some bodies conceding they had no information on when soldiers retired….