Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:C2025A00017:clause:9_110zjb
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:C2025A00017
Segment Type: clause
Provision Reference: sch 9 cl 110ZJB
Character Range: 535468–538051

110ZJB  Functions of the Defence and Veterans' Services Commissioner
 (1) The Defence and Veterans' Services Commissioner has the following functions:
 (a) to monitor, inquire and report on (including with evidence‑based findings and recommendations) on the following:
 (i) data and trends regarding suicide and suicidality among serving and ex‑serving ADF members;
 (ii) systemic factors relating to the Commonwealth's administration of policies, programs, systems and practices that contribute to suicide and suicidality among serving and ex‑serving ADF members;
 (iii) the state of the defence and veteran ecosystem, as it relates to the prevention of suicide and suicidality;
 (iv) the Commonwealth's implementation of the recommendations of the Defence and Veteran Suicide Royal Commission, including progress, impact and outcomes;
 (b) to conduct research and inquire into, and report and advise on, specific matters as requested by the Minister under section 110ZFB;
 (c) to conduct inquiries into the Commonwealth's implementation of the Government's response to the recommendations of the Defence and Veteran Suicide Royal Commission under section 110ZFC;
 (d) to improve supports for serving and ex‑serving Australian Defence Force members;
 (e) to collaborate with coroners to understand issues contributing to defence and veteran deaths by suicide;
 (f) to promote understanding of suicide risks for defence members and veterans and factors that can improve the wellbeing of defence members and veterans, including through engaging with people with lived experiences and promoting that lived experience;
 (g) any other function conferred on the Commissioner by this Act or any other law of the Commonwealth.
 (2) To avoid doubt, the following are not functions of the Commissioner:
 (a) to make findings of civil or criminal wrongdoing;
 (b) to make findings on the manner or cause of death in relation to a death of a defence member or suspected suicide;
 (c) to monitor or inquire into a single exercise of a power, or a single performance of a function or duty.
 (3) In performing the Commissioner's functions, the Commissioner must have regard to the need to avoid prejudicing current or future criminal or civil proceedings or other contemporaneous inquiries.
Note: An example of a contemporaneous inquiry is a contemporaneous inquiry conducted by the Inspector‑General ADF under section 110C of this Act.
 (4) The Commissioner has power to do all things necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with the performance of the Commissioner's functions.