Parliament backs motion for royal commission into veteran suicides

A royal commission into veteran suicides is a step closer, with the Prime Minister declaring he will no longer oppose a push to thoroughly examine the crisis. 

For months, the federal government has resisted calls for such a broad-ranging and powerful inquiry, preferring the option of establishing a permanent national commissioner for veteran suicides.

The House of Representatives followed the Senate in passing a motion demanding the establishment of a royal commission, after former Liberal MP turned independent Craig Kelly signalled his intention to back the move.

Facing possible defeat on the floor of Parliament, Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed earlier in the day he would wave through the motion.

"We won't be opposing that motion at all," Mr Morrison told Nine Radio.

But Monday's vote in the House of Representatives does not create a royal commission, or even bind the government to calling one.

When a national commissioner was established in February last year there were more than 400 known veteran suicide cases dating back to 2001, but that figure has soared over the past 12 months.

Despite his change of heart, Mr Morrison signalled he would continue to push the government's position for a permanent inquiry into veteran suicides.

"Royal commissions are fine but they are only temporary, they are not a silver bullet," he said.

"You need permanent arrangements to address the root causes of these issues and that's what we committed to doing with the Parliament."

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese is demanding the government now comply with the will of Parliament and immediately establish a royal commission.

"The government is agreeing to this motion today, but you can't agree to a motion and say you do not oppose a royal commission — it's weasel words," Mr Albanese told Parliament ahead of the vote.

"It can't be resisted any more, the government should be calling a royal commission and should be doing one today, given they know that this has been coming for a long period of time". 

Ahead of the vote, former soldiers turned Liberal MPs Gavin Pearce and Phillip Thompson gave emotional speeches backing the motion.

Mr Thompson, who supported the Prime Minister's original move to have a national commissioner, said he now wanted a royal commission as well.

"When I was on operations in Afghanistan we accepted death, I didn't expect it or accept it when I came home, I didn't think I'd be going to funerals all the time," Mr Thompson told Parliament.

"I think during this process everyone involved is going to require support at the highest level," Mr Pearce warned. 

"The royal commission is going to be tough, on a very tough subject, and it's going to be tough on the families, it's going to be tough on the mates of those involved, it's going to be tough on units, the chain of command".

Earlier in the day veterans' advocates gathered in the rain outside Parliament House to meet politicians from all sides of politics and rally in support of a royal commission.

Among those gathered outside was Julie-Ann Finney, who has campaigned for years for a royal commission following the death of her son, who served in the Royal Australian Navy.