The federal government will extend the final report date for the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide by an additional year to June 17, 2024.

Attorney-General Michaelia Cash says the extension recognises the broad scope of the commission’s inquiries and also accounts for the ongoing impact of COVID-19.

“We recognise the important work the Royal Commission is doing to look at systemic issues of defence and veteran suicide, and the need to provide the Royal Commission with the time to do so in a trauma-informed way,” Senator Cash said in a statement on Sunday night.

“This extension will allow more individuals to come forward and share their experience with the Royal Commission. I thank all those who have already come forward,” she said.

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