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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Daniel Hurst Foreign affairs and defence correspondent

Commissioner condemns ‘failure of leadership’ in Australian defence force, urges greater focus on wellbeing of personnel

Defence minister, Richard Marles, vowed to ‘support the thrust of the recommendations’ made by the royal commission into veteran suicide.
Defence minister, Richard Marles, vowed to ‘support the thrust of the recommendations’ made by the royal commission into veteran suicide. Photograph: Australian Department Of Defence

Australian defence force personnel and veterans have suffered “a catastrophic failure of leadership at all levels” to prioritise their health and wellbeing, according to the head of a long-running royal commission into veteran suicide.

Nick Kaldas, the former New South Wales police deputy commissioner, made the comment on Monday shortly before the royal commission he chaired provided its final report to the federal government.

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