CANBERRA, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government has created a new independent body to prevent veteran suicides.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds, and Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel Darren Chester, on Wednesday announced the establishment of the National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention.

The body will be tasked with reviewing past veteran suicide cases and an interim report will be delivered within 12 months.

More than 400 former and current Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel took their own lives between 2001 and 2017.

The suicide rate for ex-servicemen is 18 percent higher than the broader Australian population.

"This is about being forever vigilant for the care and well-being of our veterans," Morrison said on Wednesday.

"Those veterans and all serving men and women protect our community and our freedoms. It is our duty to do the same for them."

"We will be permanently vigilant about their welfare."

The national commissioner will have the same power as a Royal Commission to compel evidence and summon witnesses, with the government to invest 40 million Australian dollars (27 million U.S. dollars) to support the inquiry.

Families of veterans who have taken their own lives will be invited to tell their stories if they wish to do so.

Chester said that the commissioner will also deliver an Annual Veteran and Defence Suicide Death Report to Parliament.

"This will be a transparent report directly to the Parliament on an annual basis on suicides within the defence and veteran community, including an update on the implementation and evaluation of measures to reduce suicide risk factors," he said.

"The government is committed to ensuring ADF members, veterans and their families have access to the right support, at the right time, especially those who are vulnerable or at risk," he said. Enditem

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