The commission was set up in July to examine the higher rate of suicide and attempted suicide among serving and former members of the Australian Defence Force.

So far, the commission has received more than 800 submissions and according to the counsel assisting the commission a common thread has already appeared in those they have examined.

They included bullying, the treatment of women, sexual assaults, physical assaults, better protection for younger members, better support after deployment, and better support for members after they leave the service and adjust to civilian life.

The first days of the commission’s public hearings have heard harrowing testimony from the family of members of the Defence Force who have taken their lives.

Today on Please Explain, Brisbane Times reporter Toby Crockford joins Nathanael Cooper to discuss the first week of the commission.