Joint media release - Release of Senate Reference Committee report into the mental health of Australian Defence Force members and veterans

SENATOR THE HON MARISE PAYNE

MINISTER FOR DEFENCE

THE HON DAN TEHAN MP

MINISTER FOR VETERANS’ AFFAIRS

MINISTER ASSISTING THE PRIME MINISTER FOR THE CENTENARY OF ANZAC

MINISTER FOR DEFENCE MATERIEL

The Government welcomes the contribution of the Senate Reference Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade’s report into the mental health of Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and veterans and will carefully consider the Inquiry report and its recommendations.

The Government takes the wellbeing of current and former ADF members very seriously and funding for mental health treatment services is demand driven, it is not capped. The Government is focussed on early intervention strategies to treat mental illness early.

This Government has invested in expansion of non-liability health care provisions to treat mental health conditions, improved the time taken to process compensation claims and, in the 2015-16 Budget, funded additional case coordinators to support clients with complex needs, including those with mental health conditions.

The Opposition’s call for the Minister for Defence to demand that the Inspector General of the Australian Defence Force release a report into the use of anti-malarial drug mefloquine are misguided on a number of fronts.

Firstly, the IGADF’s investigation on this matter is ongoing, so any request to release the report is premature – there is no final report at this point in time.

Secondly, the IGADF is a statutory appointment and the Minister for Defence does not have the discretion to release its reports. The release of IGADF investigations is determined by the IGADF on a case by case basis, and with due consideration of privacy and legal issues.

Current and former ADF personnel who have concerns relating to the ADF use of anti-malarial medication are encouraged to visit the "Malaria, mefloquine and the ADF" website through the ADF Health & Wellbeing Portal on the Department of Defence website.

Anyone who believes their health has been affected by their use of mefloquine or tafenoquine during their ADF service is encouraged to lodge a claim with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Media contacts:

Minister Payne’s Office: 0429 531 143

Minister Tehan’s Office: 0477 395 356