‘It takes a nation to look after a veteran’: Catherine McGregor

The system responsible for Australia’s veterans is “a mess” and requires the prime minister’s direct involvement, according to Sky News host Catherine McGregor. Ms McGregor said the rate of veteran suicides is “truly horrific,” with 15 veterans taking their own lives in the past three months. “The system, in my view, is broken,” she said. “If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a nation to look after a veteran”. Ms McGregor said the “hope of the side” is a more functional RSL, which is currently “dysfunctional”. “Its management of veterans’ claims is hopeless, it’s been in competent down to the grass roots level because it is overrun by old people who are essentially out of touch with modern veterans. “We’ve got to get the RSL functional and firing again.” If you or anyone you know needs help: Lifeline on 13 11 14 Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978 Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 Headspace on 1800 650 890 ReachOut at au.reachout.com Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN) on 1800 008 774