Soldier was 'victim of health system'

An Australian soldier who committed suicide at a Sydney hotel was a victim of a fragmented defence force health system, a military inquiry into his death has been told.

Captain Andrew Paljakka was found dead on February 26, 2007 in a room of the Astoria Hotel at Kings Cross.

Evidence has been gathered to look at the impact of Captain Paljakka's service in Afghanistan, and whether his exposure to death and suffering during this time had affected his mental health.

The commission of inquiry was told that in the lead-up to stints at Balmoral Military Hospital and later St John of God Hospital, Captain Paljakka had twice attempted suicide and spoke about killing himself on other occasions.

The hearing was told he suffered chronic depression, alcohol dependency and abuse, suspected illicit drug use, had separated from his wife, was facing financial trouble, had his car stolen and was facing discharge from the defence force in the period leading up to his death.

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