Meet the Woman Leading Change in Australia's Defence Force
A woman is helping to change Australia's defence force. She says she is not just doing it to tick a box.
Penny McKay is the first commissioner of the Defence and Veterans' Service Commission. She has spoken about her work for the first time.
Change may not happen quickly. But they will keep working on it.
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide found that self-harm among veterans is a national crisis. It is caused by systemic and cultural failures.
Penny McKay leads the organisation that is making sure the government does what it promised to do.
Ms McKay knows that her task is not easy.
Penny McKay is the Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner.
The team wants to be transparent about what they are doing. They want to show what is happening in defence and other areas related to wellbeing.
In her first meeting with her advisory group, she said they will focus on the government.
Is change possible?
The Royal Commission asked for an independent authority to improve suicide prevention and wellbeing for serving and ex-serving members.
The Commissioner's role was created because of the Royal Commission.
The Royal Commission wanted a watchdog to promote change and accountability.
Many issues are related to wellbeing and suicide prevention, such as military sexual violence and mental health.
Before the Royal Commission, there were many inquiries and recommendations, but they did not make much difference.
Ms McKay knows that people are sceptical about cultural change.
The issues they are dealing with are not new.
Defence support services
Ms McKay cannot promise to change everything, but she will try.
The commission wants to implement real reform.
The organisation will lead an independent inquiry into military sexual violence.
Commissioner McKay wants to hear from people who have experienced military sexual violence.
The government has not announced a date for the inquiry yet.
Recommendation implementation survey
The first meetings of the Commissioner's advisory group were held this month.
Sixteen people from different backgrounds were chosen to advise the Commission.
The advisory group met to discuss how many of the Royal Commission's recommendations have been implemented.
Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh said 32 recommendations have been implemented.
The Defence and Veterans' Service Commission is investigating how many recommendations have been implemented.
Commissioner McKay will report to the government in February next year.
She has not checked all the recommendations yet, but some may not be fully implemented.
The Defence and Veterans' Service Commission aims to drive reform and cultural change.
Commissioner unfazed by lack of military experience
Commissioner McKay has experience in law, but not in defence.
She is often asked about her lack of military experience, but she does not think it is a disadvantage.
Her career has been about accountability and transparency.
She is interested in roles that require people to be accountable.
She was married to a serviceman and has a military family background.
ADF members say cultural issues have not been addressed.
It is good that the Commissioner comes with fresh eyes and no conflicts of interest.
The law says the Commissioner cannot have served in the military in the past five years.
Commissioner McKay will measure her performance by trust, structural change, and change on the ground.
She wants to gain trust in the veteran and defence community.
She wants to see positive change for veterans and defence members.
Commissioner McKay is not worried about not having worked in defence before.
She knows people are sceptical about the Commission's ability to deliver change.
She hopes to make a difference and will do everything she can.
The Commission will be working for a long time, not just once.
They will focus on issues over years and see what has been done.
Penny McKay is the first Defence and Veterans’ Service Commissioner.
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