Greens spokesperson for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, today called on the government to act on the recommendations of the recent Senate inquiry initiated by the Greens into veterans’ mental health in light of reports that another veteran who was administered mefloquine has committed suicide after a long history of mental illness.

Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, Greens Defence and Veterans’ Affairs spokesperson, welcomed the release today of the Senate Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee’s report into the mental health of ADF veterans.

Greens spokesperson for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson will be attending the first public hearing of the Senate Inquiry into Veterans’ mental health tomorrow in Canberra.

Services to veterans must not be interrupted by the planned closure of the General Repatriation Hospital, says Australian Greens Senator for South Australia Senator Penny Wright.

Senator Wright said the new centre of excellence must be fully operational before the Repat is closed, and consideration should be given to the cultural significance of the site for veterans.

Excerpt from Senate Hansard: Thursday, 19 June 2014.

Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Mental Health and Other Measures) Bill 2014

Second Reading

The Prime Minister should apologise for using D-Day to push his carbon tax bandwagon, says Australian Greens spokesperson for Veterans Affairs Senator Penny Wright.

"Prime Minister Abbott should be ashamed of himself for using D-Day," Senator Wright said.

"Those who fought for our country at D-Day, and every other conflict since, came from every corner of society. Their service should not be co-opted to push the Prime Minister's political bandwagons.

"War service should not be commercialised and it should not be politicised.