Pathway to Change: Evolving Defence Culture is a strategy to ensure Defence has a culture that delivers success in major strategic reforms and addresses the recommendations from the recent reviews into aspects of Defence's culture and performance.
More on Pathway to Change
The Australian Defence College Reviews Implementation Team (RIT) was formed to manage the Australian Defence College's implementation of actions arising from recent Defence culture reviews.
The RIT has gained significant momentum in managing the implementation of cultural reform in Defence, particularly the Review into the Treatment of Women at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA).
Working under powers delegated to her by the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission and supported by and eminent panel, the Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Ms Elizabeth Broderick, led an independent review into the treatment of women at ADFA with a focus on the adequacy and appropriateness of measures to promote gender equality, ensure women's safety, and to address sexual harassment, abuse and sex discrimination. The report, which made 31 recommendations, was released on November 3, 2011.
Led by the Commandant of ADFA, Commodore Bruce Kafer, the RIT works closely with ADFA staff, who have been actively implementing recommendations arising from this review.
Key implementation achievements to date:
Equity and Diversity Training
ADFA has strengthened its equality and diversity framework by extensively enhancing this component of the military training program. ADFA hosted an ethical decision making seminar with undergraduates from across the Group of Eight universities earlier this year. Its success was evident as representatives from the Group of Eight universities voted to make the seminar an annual event.
Residential Support Officer Program
A 'Residential Support Officer' program for year one midshipmen and officer cadets at ADFA was introduced in March 2012 to provide after-hours mentoring and support. Officer cadets and staff have found it to be a positive program. The Residential Support Officers report the scheme has given them valuable leadership experience.
ADFA Staff Induction and Training Program
The RIT has worked closely with ADFA staff to develop an improved ADFA staff induction and training program. This is designed to strengthen the staff's management of midshipmen and officer cadets, and provide additional training in pastoral care and complaint-handling processes.
The work being undertaken by ADFA an the RIT contributes directly to the objectives of 'Pathway to Change'. Its strategy builds on Defence's collective strengths while recognising that there are some cultural changes that must be made if Defence is to evlove as a community of professionals.
View the report on the Review into the Treatment of Women at the - Australian Defence Force Academy.
Implementation status current at 2 November 2012.
