BIRD INQUIRY INDEPENDENT REVIEWER

An Australian veteran who served in Afghanistan, Jesse Bird, tragically died of suicide on 27 June 2017 at the age of 32. In 2017, the Government committed to an independent review of the implementation of the recommendations of the Joint Defence/Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Inquiry into the Jesse Bird case after 12 months.

Emeritus Professor Robin Creyke AO has been appointed to conduct this review. Professor Creyke is widely experienced in issues such as veterans’ entitlements and military compensation law.

This independent review will help ensure that DVA has learned from the tragedy and is transforming its systems and policies to better serve veterans and their families, especially when they are at their most vulnerable.

DVA has been and is continuing to improve and streamline numerous processes and making it easier for veterans and their families to gain access to free mental health treatment.

The recommendations of the Bird Inquiry and DVA’s implementation progress report are available online.