The Federal Government appears to have dumped its National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention.

In September last year, former ACT magistrate and coroner Bernadette Boss was appointed to the interim position to investigate the growing rate of suicide in the military community.

The appointment of Dr Boss was scriticserd by senators because of her friendship with former defence minister Linda Reynolds.

Reports this week say Dr Boss’s role will soon end.

The contract allegedly ends on Thursday, when Prime Minister Scott Morrison will confirm details of a long-awaited Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. The commissioner position was created at a time when the Morrison Government was resisting calls for a Royal Commission. 

Dr Boss was in charge of producing an “Independent Review of Past ADF and Veteran Suicides”, which reports say is ready to be handed to the federal government.

Attorney-General Michaelia Cash has issued a statement confirming that a new national commissioner may not be appointed for two years.

“The interim National Commissioner has been asked to provide a report to government on the work completed on the Independent Review to date,” a spokesperson told reporters.

“The government is in the process of confirming these arrangements formally. This report will form an important foundation for the work of the royal commission.

“Subject to the passage of legislation, the government will consider the appointment of a National Commissioner once the royal commission either concludes its inquiry, or at an earlier point of time if the royal commission recommends that the National Commissioner be established.”