About the Senate Inquiry
On 10 September 2009, the Senate referred to the Community Affairs References Committee an inquiry into suicide in Australia.
What is a Senate Inquiry?
A Senate Inquiry occurs when the Commonwealth Senate refers an issue of public importance to a Senate Committee for investigation. These committees do not have legislative powers, but are able to engage directly with the public, and seek submissions and evidence from the general population, as well as industry and interest groups. Following the provision of submissions, public or private hearings are held with witnesses, who are protected by parliamentary privilege. This means people can speak honestly and openly without fear of recrimination.
Following this process, the Committee will produce a report with recommendations for the Commonwealth Government to consider. The report for this Inquiry is due in April 2010.
Why is a Senate Inquiry important?
Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA), as the national advocate for suicide and self-harm prevention, intervention and postvention in Australia, has been working over the past two decades to build awareness of suicide and suicide prevention. We represent the voices of researchers, practitioners, policy-makers, industry, government, service providers, those with lived experience and the community.
Yet, despite the work of our organisation, and the tireless efforts of our sector partners, suicide continues to be a significant health and social issue in our community.
SPA hopes that the Senate Inquiry will focus attention on the issue of suicide and help us all work together to create a more connected, inclusive, resilient and safer community.
What is SPA’s role in this Senate Inquiry?
SPA welcomes this unique opportunity to recognise and promote the diverse experiences and views of Australians to help strengthen our community’s responses to suicide and self-harm prevention, intervention and postvention.
SPA will be encouraging the Senate Inquiry Committee to organise and attend public hearings around the country to give the community an opportunity to have their concerns heard in person.
SPA has made a comprehensive submission to the Senate Inquiry. More details about this, including links to download the submission, are available below.
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SPA's Submission
SPA made a comprehensive submission to the Senate Inquiry addressing each of the Terms of Reference (TOR). Woven throughout the text are extracts from the personal stories SPA gathering in reponse to an email appeal. These extracts are a powerful mechanism to support the arguments made in response to the TOR. We were overwhelmed and humbled by the response to our email appeal for stories and were pleased to be able to incorporate extracts from over half of the stories we received, ensuring a diverse range of experiences and views were reflected throughout the document.
SPA's submission can be viewed on the Senate Inquiry website by clicking here.
As an Appendix to this document, SPA submitted a compilation of the de-identified personal stories received in the email appeal, ensuring that personal experiences have been clearly communicated to the Senate Inquiry. This document was submitted to the Senate Inquiry as a confidential non-public document for the Senate Inquiry Committee’s review only. It will not be published on the internet.
Joint Submission
In addition to our own submission, SPA contributed to a Joint Submission in conjunction with Lifeline Australia; The Inspire Foundation; OzHelp Foundation; The Salvation Army; The Mental Health Council of Australia, and the Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney. This Joint Submission was presented to Senator Rachel Siewert, and Senator Claire Moore at Parliament House, Canberra, on Monday 23rd November. This comprehensive submission can be viewed by clicking here.
SPA & Suicide Prevention Taskforce Submission
SPA, in conjunction with other parties that make up the Suicide Prevention Taskforce, a group established due to recommendations arising from SPA’s strategic review in 2008, put forward a submission focused on establishing infrastructure to effectively address suicide in Australia. This submission can be viewed by clicking here.
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Making Your Own Submission to the Senate Inquiry
Information on how to make a submission to the Senate Inquiry is available by clicking on the following link - Senate Inquiry into Suicide in Australia.
The Senate Inquiry has recently announced via their website that submissions can still be made.Click here for more information.
If this is the first time you have put forward a submission to an Inquiry, you may find it useful to look over the variety of submissions made to the Senate Select Committee on Mental Health for an Inquiry in 2005-2006. Click here to be taken to the list of submissions for the Mental Health Inquiry.
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Terms of Reference for the Senate Inquiry
The impact of suicide on the Australian community including high-risk groups, such as Indigenous youth and rural communities, with particular reference to:
a. the personal, social and financial costs of suicide in Australia;
b. the accuracy of suicide reporting in Australia, factors that may impede accurate identification and recording of possible suicides (and the consequences of any under-reporting on understanding risk factors and providing services to those at risk);
c. the appropriate role and effectiveness of agencies, such as police, emergency departments, law enforcement and general health services in assisting people at risk of suicide;
d. the effectiveness, to date, of public awareness programs and their relative success in providing information, encouraging help-seeking and enhancing public discussion of suicide;
e. the efficacy of suicide prevention training and support for frontline health and community workers providing services to people at risk;
f. the role of targeted programs and services that address the particular circumstances of high-risk groups;
g. the adequacy of the current program of research into suicide and suicide prevention, and the manner in which findings are disseminated to practitioners and incorporated into government policy; and
h. the effectiveness of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy in achieving its aims and objectives, and any barriers to its progress.
To download a PDF copy of the Senate Inquiry Terms of Reference click here.
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