The Albanese government on Monday released its response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, agreeing to the overwhelming majority of the 122 recommendations made.
Julie-Ann Finney's son, Royal Australian Navy petty officer David Finney, died by suicide in 2019.
Royal Australian Navy petty officer David Finney died by suicide in 2019. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)
Reacting to the government's inquiry response, Ms Finney said she felt a small sense of comfort but was still on edge.
"I have never seen a headline that has truly given veterans and serving members what they need and what they want," she said.
"The headlines are one thing, but then the actions behind it are not the same."
Ms Finney said the system had to start saving lives before she would stop telling people not to enlist.
"Don't just trust yet, but don't give up yet," she said in a message to veterans and their families.
"You have fought so hard for this, you have fought for what we are getting.
"We may have to keep fighting for some other parts, but let's take the good parts for now. Let's take them as a win and keep fighting."
The royal commission found 1677 serving and former serving defence personnel had died by suicide between 1997 and 2021 - more than 20 times the number killed in active duty over the same period.
One of the key recommendations was for an independent body to oversee progress on reforms being made, with the government to set one up immediately.
Ms Finney is among those who believe the body should scrutinise the government's plan to streamline compensation legislation before it becomes law.
Frequent travel from Adelaide to Canberra to attend Senate estimates hearings and meetings with politicians has left Ms Finney "financially devastated".
"The emotional toll is just all over the place," she added.
"So many times, I've had to fight for what's right for veterans, and the next minute, I find myself fighting for myself, because I have all these trolls who think I have an ulterior motive.
"I don't. I am not eligible for any compensation or any sort of reward. All I want is to be able to say to you, 'if my son was alive, he would live'. I am not yet able to say that."
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