Welcome back to our series where in the lead up to the next federal election (due by May this year) I’m asking leaders and advocates to share facts and information about the issues they get up and work for every day – and we vote on.
Julie-Ann Finney is someone I’ve come to know and greatly admire through Twitter (I’ll never call it X – and we’re all at BlueSky now anyway) where she continues to bravely stand up and speak truth to power on behalf of her son David, after his 20 year career in the Australian Defence Force. Her advocacy played a significant role in the creation of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans Suicide (DVSRC).
Below, Julie-Ann shares her story with us and the journey she’s taken to honour the life and death of her son David. It’s difficult and heart wrenching to read. It’s also a story we should all be aware of – especially in the year where we are voting for representatives who make decisions on our behalf on the issues Julie-Ann raises.
***
What motivated you to start your advocacy and to keep going?
You can’t imagine (at least I hope you can’t) watching a box that holds your only son, being lowered into the ground, wanting to jump in the hole and rescue him, but instead having to act like you are “supposed to act”. David is my youngest child, my only son, he was supposed to be here for the rest of my life. I couldn’t just bury him and walk away. I didn’t know anything about advocacy, I didn’t know that I was embarking on a journey. David had served 20 years in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), he had a medal for bravery and I knew he deserved more than a death certificate.
He left behind a lot of information and I needed to continue his story, for him and for me, and, as I followed his story, I stumbled upon far too many other stories of needless, preventable loss of life.
Tell us about your journey advocating for this issue?
Feeling abandoned and isolated, I faced closed doors at every turn—politicians refused to meet with me, the ADF (Australian Defence Force) was sympathetic but powerless, and the DVA (Department of Veterans Affairs) hid behind privacy laws to deny me help after my son David’s death. As I realised my struggle was shared by countless grieving families, I joined the call for a Royal Commission into veteran suicide, transforming my grief into action. I became a voice for change, building awareness through campaigns, connecting families to vital services, and challenging the outdated “boys’ club” that dominates decision-making.
Some days I feel like I am fighting the government, the defence force, the DVA and the RSL (Returned and Services League of Australia) all on my own, but then I remember that I am a woman and I am a mum, I can do this. I will do this.
My fight is for accountability, humanity, and no family left to grieve alone.
You say ‘Don’t enlist until it’s fixed’ – why and what does this mean?
I say ‘don’t enlist until it’s fixed’ to make people who enlist in the Australian Defence Force aware of the issues I’ve experienced first-hand.
For decades, veterans and their families have suffered due to inadequate mental health support, outdated policies, and leadership that resists change.
Politicians, often lacking expertise, rely on the failed advice of institutional leaders who have long opposed inquiries like the Defence and Veteran Suicide Royal Commission (DVSRC). The DVSRC’s recommendations must be implemented with integrity to address the unrelenting pressures of PTSD, moral injury, and mental health struggles faced by those who serve.
Until lived experience and subject matter experts are prioritised on committees and forums, the cycle of neglect, silencing, and harm will continue, perpetuating outdated ideas that fail to protect those who have sacrificed so much.
What are the politics behind these issues? (There’s always politics)
These problems start and end with politics.
Ministers, often with no expertise, are appointed after elections and rely on advice from institutional leaders and organisations focused on financial interests rather than humanity.
Announcements centre on spending, while the human impact remains an afterthought, perpetuating a cycle of ineffective leadership across both major parties.
What outcomes did you and others achieve due to your advocacy?
We achieved a Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans Suicide (DVSRC) held over 3 years where we were able to publicly tell the stories of our loved ones. Veterans were able to tell first-hand the horrors of their own experiences.
Through the Royal Commission, it became clear that government and institutions associated with defence fought against everything that cost money while hoarding funds at the expense of veteran lives.
What does the recent Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans Suicide (DVSRC) findings get right?
The DVSRC got so much right. here were 122 recommendations and the government only dismissed one of them.
However, the commissioners seemed to forget that many of the recommendations were able to be interpreted by politicians and other leaders in the defence and ex defence world in a way so far removed from the intent.
I am concerned about these incorrect interpretations, that in my opinion, will result in many more deaths.
What disinformation should we watch out for with the issues you raise?
We must keep speaking up to expose the spin fed to the public.
Despite significant investment in the DVSRC, the truth must remain at the forefront. My son David, once featured in a recruiting ad, saw through the misleading narratives—and he was right.
While defence recruits are bound by contracts, accountability for others is non-existent.
Government claims of helping veterans often amount to financial handouts with no tangible outcomes. It’s crucial to question the so-called advisors—often men promoted beyond their competence or clinging to high-ranking roles well into their 80s.
What can each of us do to address the issues you raise?
Thank veterans for their service and check in on them—while many are doing well, those who aren’t often suffer in silence. Suicide can strike unexpectedly, so if someone expresses that they don’t want to be here, believe them. Veterans face unique challenges after service, from adjusting to civilian life to navigating everyday tasks like booking a doctor’s appointment. They are resilient and courageous, but they may need support to transition back into family and community life.
Our political system needs reform. The two major parties often prioritise their own interests over the community’s and allow foreign influence to shape our decisions—like in the cases of Australians David McBride and Dan Duggan, currently imprisoned at the behest of the USA.
To create a government that truly serves the people, we need more independent politicians in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Independents can hold governments accountable and ensure laws are made and amended with the public’s interest at heart, especially for veterans and marginalised groups.
***
Thanks to the inspirational Julie-Ann Finney for sharing her story and for making us all aware of the issues facing Australia’s serving defence personnel and veterans. We can do much better.
Let’s draw the line between the issues we all care about—including the treatment of veterans—and our informed vote as we all walk into the polling booth in the coming months to elect the people who will make decisions for us on these vital issues. It really is up to us!
If this article has raised any concerns for you, support services are available:
Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14
ADF Mental Health All-hours Support Line on 1800 628 036
Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling on 1800 011 046