The Daily Telegraph celebrates major military reforms following Save Our Heroes campaign
The Daily Telegraph is celebrating the announced reforms to help end veteran suicide, following the publication’s Save Our Heroes campaign.
The announcement:
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH HELPS PROMPT MAJOR REFORMS TO PROTECT MILITARY VETERANS
The Daily Telegraph’s Save Our Heroes campaign has helped prompt major reforms to better protect our long-neglected military veterans.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison today announced a new $40 million plan for an independent commissioner with the powers of a rolling royal commission to be appointed to investigate veteran suicide.
The announcement comes after a plea from the families of fallen veterans in The Daily Telegraph’s Save Our Heroes campaign, including Julie-Ann Finney who raised almost 300,000 signatures in favour of a Royal Commission after her son died a year ago.
The campaign was also supported by the Townsville Bulletin.
Since June, the Save Our Heroes campaign has called for a Royal Commission into the causes behind the rising death toll that has seen more than 400 veterans take their own lives since 2001.
Ben English, editor of The Daily Telegraph said, “I’d like to pay tribute to Julie-Ann Finney and all the other brave mothers who courageously stepped up and fought this battle following the tragic passing of their sons.
“Mental health affects all corners of Australia but our coverage helped shine a light on the shameful fact many veterans were also terribly afflicted by it and had been all but abandoned by those for whom they served.
“To bring our influence and resources to the Save Our Heroes campaign to help veterans and their families fight successfully for these important reforms talks to the heart of our purpose as a trusted news brand that always stands up for our community.
“Our campaign is not over but it means that the days when veterans and their families have to fend for themselves and endure this kind of suffering and loss are – hopefully – now coming to an end.”
Source: News Corp Australia media release
