Roberts-Smith court saga puts spotlight on veteran welfare locally

THIS month’s failure of Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith’s defamation action against three newspapers and the recent move by Australian Defence Force chief Angus Campbell to recommend stripping awards from some service personnel who held command positions in Afghanistan brings the welfare of veterans and people still serving into sharp focus.

That prompted those in charge at Inverloch RSL Sub Branch to stress that assistance is available for veterans and family who are feeling the brunt of recent negative publicity about some past and present members of the ADF, or are otherwise in need of support.

Inverloch RSL president Ross Gabb and secretary Lindsay Guerin are concerned about the broader impact of allegations against Roberts-Smith and those whose honours for ‘distinguished and conspicuous service on warlike operations’ are under threat following General Campbell’s recommendation.

Ross and Lindsay both stressed that the allegations concerned are unproven.

“It’s all hearsay,” Ross said.

Lindsay was a wing commander in the Royal Australian Air Force, serving in Afghanistan on three separate trips, initially having a role at joint operations, later conducting a review of the Force structure and lastly being a military assistant to the Director-General of Australian Intelligence.

He is now a member of the RSL Victoria State Executive and Chair of that organisation’s Royal Commission Working Group involved in the current Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. 

“More veterans have died by suicide than were killed in Afghanistan,” Lindsay said, starkly illustrating the importance of ensuring veterans are aware support is available.

Ross said statistics indicate veterans are approximately three times more likely to take their own lives than civilians.

He said that when he was discharged from the Navy in 1984 as an acting petty officer, and having been a leading gunnery hand and involved in border protection, there was no assistance available.

Veterans were left to tackle the often-rocky transition from the institutionalised and structured environment of military life to civilian society.

Ross said that has only changed in recent years, with lots of support available for those who need it.

An ongoing concern is the vast backlog of veteran claims being processed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, something the Australian Government is striving to address but which will not be resolved in the short term.

General Campbell recently wrote to a small group of Afghanistan veterans, revealing he has referred the termination of their decorations to Defence Minister Richard Marles for consideration and should he decide that is the appropriate action, the Governor General will then make the final decision.

The recommendation follows the Brereton Report that painted a negative picture of the alleged actions of some ADF personnel serving in Afghanistan, with some of those in charge held accountable.

Lifeline Australia offers free crisis support and suicide prevention services at any time and can be contacted on 13 11 14.

Available veteran support services include:

Open Arms - Mental health support for Army, Navy and Air Force personnel, veterans and their families.  Call 1800 011 046.

Open Arms offers suicide prevention workshops.

Self Help Tools are also available to assist with building resilience.

Veteran Central - The place for Victorian veterans to interact with ex-service organisations  Call 1300 645 838.

Other services - Other available services for veterans include Compensation Support, Veterans’ Employment Program, and Financial Welfare.

Visit rslvic.com.au/veteran-support or your local RSL for further information.