The Albanese government refused a request from the royal commission into defence and veteran suicide for a further one-year extension, after it cited “significant delays” getting information from Defence.
In a statement to Guardian Australia the three royal commissioners revealed they had asked for an extra 12 months “in the hope that we could complete the most thorough inquiry possible … to induce action” and overcome the “inertia demonstrated by previous governments and commonwealth bodies”.
But after writing to Anthony Albanese on 11 May requesting the extension, the commission was informed on 1 August it had not been granted.
The government says it wants to finalise the inquiry to save lives, a decision backed by senator Jacqui Lambie. But veterans groups are split, with some arguing Labor should reconsider.
The royal commission is now working with the government on “alternative initiatives” to complete the inquiry by 17 June 2024.
The royal commission, launched by the Morrison government in 2021, already had its reporting period extended in April 2022, from June 2023 to 2024.
Royal commissioners Nick Kaldas, Peggy Brown and James Douglas said the decision to seek a further extension “was not taken lightly”.
“We are acutely aware that serving members of the Australian defence force and veterans are seeking change urgently to prevent further deaths by suicide,” they said.
The commissioners said the issues contributing to suicide are “complex and multi-layered, and require a thorough inquiry across a complex and broad landscape”.
The commission has so far issued 900 compulsory notices, received 230,000 documents and heard from 280 witnesses in public hearings and 500 individuals in private interviews.
“But we have also faced significant delays in the provision of vital data and information sought from Defence, as well as other challenges associated with dealing with claims of public interest immunity, parliamentary privilege, and the need to sensitively gather evidence without impacting issues of national security.”
The commission’s “trauma-informed approach” also meant giving participants “the extra time they require to engage safely with the royal commission”, they said.
The commissioners said there had been “little to no change in the veteran suicide rate” despite 57 previous inquiries. “We know there will not be another royal commission into this problem in our lifetime.”
But in reference to the refusal of the extension, the commissioners said they “respect the right of the government to determine its priorities”.
In its interim report, the royal commission recommended “independent oversight and monitoring of the progress of implementation of recommendations”.
Later in 2023 it will release a discussion paper “in relation to the proposed new entity” to maintain a continued focus on the issue of defence and veteran suicide and “will follow this with a recommendation to government”.
A spokesperson for the attorney general, Mark Dreyfus, said “veteran suicide in Australia is a national tragedy”.
“It is devastating that Australia has lost more serving and former serving personnel to suicide over the last 20 years than through operations over the same period in Afghanistan and Iraq.
“The government is committed to finalising this inquiry promptly so we can save lives and ensure a better future for our defence and veteran communities.”
A Defence spokesperson said it is “cooperating fully with the royal commission and responding to all requests for information” and will “continue to do all it can to support [its] work”.
Max Ball, the national president of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia, said it “would encourage the Albanese government to amend their decision and grant an extension”.
Ball said given the volume of information the royal commission has been dealing with a further interim report might be appropriate “to allow the government to address some of the issues finalised as they go”.
A spokesperson for the Returned Services League (RSL) said “a key issue now is to ensure that all the royal commission’s recommendations are implemented”.
“To that end, the RSL has called for the appointment of a national commissioner for defence and veteran wellbeing together with an implementation body to ensure that the change that is needed occurs.”
Lambie told Guardian Australia the royal commission has “had plenty of time to pick up on the patterns of behaviour”.
“By June 2024 it will be time to get on with it and put in place a Defence and Veterans Affairs department that cares properly for veterans and is match-fit for the 21st century.”
Nathan Howarth, the vice-president of charity Defence LGBTI Information Service, said while an extension would be “amazing … the need for a thorough investigation has to be balanced against the need for government to get a report that can be enacted in a timely matter”.
“A protracted timeframe could in fact create more risk to this outcome.”
• In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14.
