What types of administrative inquiries does the ADF conduct?
The principal aim of ADF administrative inquiries is to inform internal decision-making. In all cases, these inquiries are established to provide accurate and reliable information concerning the facts surrounding an incident or situation so that an informed decision can be made to help avoid a similar recurrence, to improve safety and to assist the Defence Force to maintain its operational capability.
ADF administrative inquiries are conducted under the authority of the Defence Act 1903. There are a number of forms these inquiries can take, each with different legal requirements and varying degrees of formality or procedural complexity. The most common types of inquiry appointed to inquire into deaths or other serious matters concerning the ADF are CDF Commissions of Inquiry, Inquiry Officer Inquiries and Boards of Inquiry.
CDF Commissions of Inquiry (COI) are established primarily to inquire into deaths of ADF members that appear to have arisen out of, or in the course of their service. A COI can only be appointed by the Chief of the Defence Force and must be presided over by a civilian with judicial experience. They may be constituted by a President alone and are generally conducted in public.
Inquiry Officer Inquiries may be appointed by the Chief of the Defence Force, a Service Chief, commanding officer, formation commander or other authorised senior officer to inquire into any matter concerning Defence that is under their command or control. Inquiry Officer Inquiries are generally conducted in private without formal hearings.
Board of Inquiry have been superseded by COI for inquiries concerning the death of an ADF member. However, they may be established to inquire into other incidents, for example an accident or injury, or damage to a Defence asset. A Board of Inquiry may be appointed jointly by the Secretary of Defence and the Chief of Defence Force, the Chief of the Defence Force, a Service Chief or authorised senior commander. Boards of Inquiry may be conducted in public.