On 2 June 2019, A Current Affair aired a story about my son David, and the ongoing tragedy of veteran suicide. As part of the story, they followed me to my son's grave. I hadn't been back to see David since his funeral. It was difficult, but I will continue to do what it takes until we address this crisis with a Royal Commission. One veteran taking their own life each week is a crisis.
Thanks to your support, politicians are paying attention. A Current Affair interviewed re-elected Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie. She has had her personal struggles with mental health after her time in the armed forces, and last night in her first TV interview since the election Jacqui Lambie said: “I just don’t believe we will have any other choice but to call for a Royal Commission”.
Then, the newly-appointed Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel. Darren Chester, issued this statement:
One of my first priorities as the reappointed Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel is to convene a mental health summit involving health experts, service providers and other stakeholders to focus on what else we can do to prevent veteran suicide.
I do not believe we need another summit or another inquiry. We need a Royal Commission to give a voice to and learn from our veterans, those that are no longer here to tell their story. They were not listened to in life, let’s hear them now and find out where we have gone so wrong.
If the Minister wishes to hold another summit, my sincere hope is he extends an invitation to the mothers of the lost service people, and veterans living with post-traumatic stress and other mental health issues. We are experts. We should be listened to.
Can I ask that you help me? Please share this petition and help me get it to 200,000 signatures. I want to take all of our names to Canberra and show politicians that Australia demands that this broken system is fixed.
For David, and for ALL the men and women that have left us and for those that now suffer in silence.
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Thank you.
Julie-Ann Finney, proud mother of Dave Stafford Finney.
If you or someone you know needs help, please phone Lifeline on 131 114, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.