New Defence Commissioner vows deep cultural overhaul and accountability

Penny McKay became the first commissioner of the Defence and Veterans' Service Commission in May, tasked with turning the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s findings into concrete action. She told one outlet that change will be gradual but the commission intends to stay the course, shining a light on defence and veteran wellbeing and holding agencies to account. With a hand-picked advisory group of 16 experts, McKay is scrutinising the implementation of the commission’s 122 recommendations, of which the Veterans Affairs Minister says 32 are complete and two-thirds should be done by year-end.

The DVSC will also conduct a future-focused inquiry into military sexual violence later this year, seeking testimonies from survivors. Though she lacks a defence background, McKay draws on a legal career centred on accountability and stresses the need for fresh, independent eyes. She will measure success by trust, systemic change and tangible improvements for service members, veterans and their families.