Minister admits letting down veteran who took his own life

  • Veterans affairs minister admits system let down a young war veteran, 32
  • Jesse Bird died with $5.20 in his bank account after begging for financial help
  • Minister Dan Tehan admitted the department let him down and apologised 

The veterans affairs minister has admitted the system let down a young war veteran who pleaded for financial help with only $5.20 left in his bank account before ending his own life.

Jesse Bird, 32, died with $5.20 in his bank account after begging staff at the Department of Veterans Affairs for financial help.

Ten days after he took his own life on June 27 $4551 was transferred to his account.

Veterans Affairs Minister Dan Tehan admitted the department had let Mr Bird down and apologised to his family, The Age reported.

Jesse Bird, 32, died with $5.20 in his bank account after begging staff at the Department of Veterans Affairs for financial help

 Mr Bird (pictured right) was a private with 1RAR based in Townsville and had fought in Afghanistan

 Mr Bird (pictured right) was a private with 1RAR based in Townsville and had fought in Afghanistan

Jesse Bird (right) is pictured with his siblings, brother Brendan (left) and sister Kate (centre)

Jesse Bird (right) is pictured with his siblings, brother Brendan (left) and sister Kate (centre)

Mr Bird was a private with 1RAR based in Townsville and had fought in Afghanistan. His family said the department had ‘bungled’ his case.

Mr Tehan said an inquiry into Mr Bird’s death recommended that compensation payments should be made ‘more timely’.

He said the system ‘let Jesse down as he was unable to get financial assistance when he needed it’.

Mr Bird’s family said he was an ‘athletic, charismatic and confident young man’ when he first enlisted in 2007 but ‘did not return the same person’ from Afghanistan in 2009.

Mr Bird¿s family said he was an ¿athletic, charismatic and confident young man¿ when he first enlisted in 2007 but ¿did not return the same person¿ from Afghanistan in 2009

Mr Bird’s family said he was an ‘athletic, charismatic and confident young man’ when he first enlisted in 2007 but ‘did not return the same person’ from Afghanistan in 2009

Mr Bird was nearly shot by insurgents and his friend  was killed by an improvised explosive device

Mr Bird was nearly shot by insurgents and his friend was killed by an improvised explosive device

Veterans Affairs Minister Dan Tehan admitted the department had let Mr Bird down and apologised to his family

Veterans Affairs Minister Dan Tehan admitted the department had let Mr Bird down and apologised to his family

He was nearly shot by insurgents and his friend Benjamin Ranaudo, 22, was killed by an improvised explosive device.

Mr Bird took his life while wearing his army jumper and using army equipment.

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk