The apology comes after the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide released its 300-page interim report and 13 initial recommendations on Thursday.

“To people that have felt they have not got the treatment that they deserve … I apologise for that,” Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh told reporters in Canberra.

“It wasn’t under our watch, but as the government of this country, veterans always deserve the best and we should be delivering that.”The commission recommends urgent changes need to be made to Australia’s defence personnel support network and that the backlog of veterans claims be cleared by March 2024.

Keogh said he didn’t have a time frame for when the backlog would be cleared, but wanted it done as soon as possible.

The government had allocated 500 additional staff to the department to help get through the claims, he said.

“All people who put on a uniform and sign up to serve our nation … they deserve the best support while serving and after they transition to civilian life,” Keogh said.

“This is particularly the case when individuals encounter mental and physical injury. This is a commitment that we owe our defence personnel, veterans and their families.”

The veterans affairs department is committed to assisting defence personnel as much as possible, Mr Keogh said.

A formal response from the government to the commission will be provided in the coming months.

“We recognise the importance and the significance of this report … It is vital that these (recommendations) are now addressed as a priority,” Keogh said.Lifeline 13 11 14

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-AAP