APRIL 19 (REUTERS) – AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER SCOTT MORRISON BOWED TO PUBLIC PRESSURE ON THURSDAY TO ANNOUNCE A ROYAL COMMISSION INTO SUICIDES AMONG ACTIVE-DUTY AND FORMER SERVICEMEN. The Australian public is demanding that the government find a way to control the rising number of military suicides.
More than 500 soldiers have died by suicide since 2001, according to the report. The statistics sparked public anger, including from Mr Morrison’s Liberal Party.
“I think and hope it will be a healing process,” Mr Morrison told reporters as he announced the commission’s order in Canberra. ”
“I hope this will be a step that will provide some comfort to veterans and their families, but it will obviously not make up for the loss,” he was quoted as saying.
