The Department of Veterans Affairs
On 7 May 1945, Germany surrendered unconditionally to the Allies and the following day when the surrender came into effect, became known as Victory in Europe (VE) Day.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said it was important for all Australians to take a moment tomorrow, on the anniversary of VE Day, to recognise and remember the service personnel who served in the defence of our nation during the Second World War, particularly those who served in the European theatre.
“After more than five years of fighting in Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and the Atlantic, recently liberated prisoners of war and Australians still serving in this theatre began to return home,” Mr Chester said.
TOMORROW Australia pays tribute to those who fought in the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest military campaign of the Second World War. Minister for.
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Establishment of a Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide
The death of any Australian Defence Force member or veteran is one death too many and a tragedy that is deeply felt by all Australians. Tragically, and heartbreakingly, this includes death by suicide.
Recognising this, the Government will take the step of recommending to the Governor-General the establishment of a Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans Suicide, following a period of consultation on draft Terms of Reference, with the relevant community and state and territory governments.
The Royal Commission will complement the Government’s existing initiative to establish a permanent National Commission to proactively deal with future issues, including taking on other recommendations of a Royal Commission.
Australians over the age of 50 will have access to the coronavirus vaccine after National Cabinet agreed to bring forward the next stage of the country s COVID-19 roll out.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed the changes in a statement this evening following the first emergency meeting of National Cabinet. National Cabinet agreed in-principle to a series of changes to the Australian COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy that will be put forward for approval at the next meeting of National Cabinet including options to bring forward the commencement of vaccinations for over 50-year-olds under the Australian COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy priority group 2a, Mr Morrison said in the statement.
Australia launches probe into ADF, veteran suicides
‘HEALING PROCESS’: Although the government has previously resisted calls for such an inquiry, a minister said it was a chance to ‘unite the veterans’ community’
The Guardian
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison yesterday bowed to mounting political pressure by launching a royal commission into suicide among Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and veterans.
Morrison told reporters in Sydney that he had listened to veterans who argued that the government’s previous proposal did not go far enough, and he was “pragmatic to get the right outcomes.”
Morrison said he hoped the royal commission to begin by July at the latest and likely to take up to two years to complete would be “a healing process.”