THE HON. GREG COMBET MP
Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
016/10
Another step forward for Defence Health
Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, today
announced the appointment of Mr David Morton as the Australian Defence
Force's (ADF) Director General of Mental Health, Psychology and
Rehabilitation.
“Mr Morton's appointment is another step in the ADF's ongoing commitment to
protecting and enhancing the health and well being of Australia’s servicemen
and women," Mr Combet said.
“His leadership and expertise will be vital for Defence as we continue to
implement the recommendations from the 2009 Dunt Review into mental
health.
“Mr Morton's appointment will result in better and more efficient health care as
part of Defence’s ongoing health reforms and restructure.
“The establishment of the Mental Health, Psychology & Rehabilitation branch
is also a clear demonstration of the progress Defence is making in providing
holistic care to ADF members.”
Professor David Dunt completed a thorough mental health review last year at
the Federal Government's request. The Dunt Review provided the catalyst for
major health care reform and the Government is supporting Defence with an
additional $83 million over the next four years to implement recommendations.
“The health and wellbeing of personnel is a priority for Defence and all
wounded ADF members receive comprehensive support, whether it is for
physical or emotional wounds,” Mr Combet said.
“The ADF has one of the largest workplace mental health support systems in
Australia, with a range of mental health and counselling services available to
ADF personnel.”
Mr Combet said that Mr Morton was well placed to make a very valuable
contribution in this new role.
“David Morton's addition to the Joint Health Command leadership team will
provide the final piece in the Command’s areas of expertise and
responsibilities,” Mr Combet said.
“Mr Morton’s previous work with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and
Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service and his intimate
involvement with delivering support services to Australia’s war veterans
deserve special recognition and will be a cornerstone of his work with Joint
Health Command.”
The ADF’s Surgeon General and Chief of Joint Health Command, Major
General Paul Alexander, said that “Defence is bringing the concepts of health
and well-being together as a complete package. It's critical to understand that
physical and emotional injuries require support to mend long after visible
scars have healed. This is vital for the ADF to meet our commitment to
providing best practice healthcare.
“The success of our rehabilitation programs is remarkable. Last year 87 per
cent of all personnel who undertook rehabilitation returned to duties.
“One of the major aims of the ADF’s Mental Health Strategy is to de-
stigmatise mental health problems and to encourage personnel to come
forward for treatment sooner rather than later. Early treatment in these cases
is one of the keys to successful treatment.”
“David Morton will work with me and the rest of the Command to make sure
those who are diagnosed with injury, including mental health conditions,
access the extensive rehabilitation programs available.
“Mr Morton’s appointment is another significant milestone in the important and
far-reaching reform. It will give every member of the ADF, and the public,
greater confidence in the delivery of Defence’s high-quality health care
services,” Major General Alexander said.
Media contacts:
Rod Hilton (Greg Combet):
02 6277 7620 or 0458 276 619
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
