The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has heard harrowing stories from the loved ones of past servicemen and women in the first of the public hearings this week.

The inquiry is scheduled to run for two years, hearing from witnesses across the defence spectrum.

Retired special forces commander and managing director of the Veteran Support Force, Heston Russell, fronted the commission today.

“We wouldn’t need a Royal Commission if the last Minister had done his job, there are so many reports and recommendations already out there, and there’s so much that could have been put into action tomorrow and 80 per cent of this Royal Commission will probably bring out those exact same recommendations,” he told Scott Emerson.

He said it’s critical the recommendations are implemented and carried through.

“So far, all we have continued to do in this space is talk, and talk, and talk and spend money on committees and conferences and consultants, to come in and tell us what we need to do.”

Press PLAY below to hear more about the Royal Commission and what more needs to be done

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