As you will know, for some time we’ve been actively campaigning for secular reform of the Defence Force – especially of Defence’s reliance on a religious-based chaplaincy model for providing frontline wellbeing support to a majority non-religious workforce.

This week, we’ve made our second submission to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, and we’ve published it on our website.

In the submission, we’ve updated the Royal Commission on the work we’ve been doing highlighting concerns about religious-based chaplaincy in Defence. We’ve revealed new evidence about the missionary nature of chaplaincy and about how a taxpayer-funded committee of religious clerics has pursued a pattern of conduct aimed blocking much-needed secular reform within Defence.

In recent days, we've published articles on our website highlighting some of our evidence to the Royal Commission. See the following:

• Investigation exonerates former top Navy chaplain and advocate of secular reform
• Committee’s Pentecostal representative refers to Defence personnel as “sheep” to bring to “fold”

The Royal Commission should consider our submission when it comes to developing recommendations for improving mental health and wellbeing support for Defence personnel.

To help us in calling for much-needed secular reform in Defence, please write to Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Minister for Defence Personnel Matt Keogh.

To get ideas about what to say, check out all of our Defence-related work here on our website.

Following the election of the Albanese government in 2022, we said secular reform of the military should be a top priority for the parliament. We remain determined to see that eventuate.

Australia’s serving men and women deserve the best care and support our country can provide.