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Vice Chief of the Defence Force

Cadet response to military justice inquiry

While the Directorate of Defence Force Cadets and Australian Defence Force Cadets welcomed the agreed recommendations of the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee Report on the effectiveness of Australia's military justice system, a number of the issues raised were already being addressed through a range of programs, according to Major General Mick Fairweather, Head, Cadet Policy.

"Of the report's 40 recommendations, three relate to the ADFC. However, the DDFC and ADFC have either addressed the issues raised in the inquiry recommendations, or are addressing them through the three Cadet organisations, their parent Services or both.

"Since the DDFC's formation in 2001 we have continued to develop new ways to enhance the Cadet program and reinvigorate the ADFC. We want to make the Cadet experience as safe, fun, adventurous and challenging as we can for Australia's youth."

Agreed recommendations

The DDFC and ADFC have addressed the issues raised in the recommendations in the following ways.

Recommendation 38

"To ensure that the further development and implementation of measures designed to improve the care and control and rights of minors in the cadets are consistent with the highest standards, the committee suggests that the ADF commission an expert in the human rights of children to monitor and advise the ADF on its training and education programs dealing with cadets."

A number of the DDFC's Cadet Enhancement Program initiatives are designed to improve the skills of Cadet Staff in the care and control of minors. The DDFC will engage an expert on the human rights of the child to provide an additional perspective on these initiatives.

The initiatives include:

  • the training enhancement project - which, through the three Cadet organisations, aims to enhance the quality of Cadet training through curriculum updates, e-learning opportunities and an upgrade of infrastructure and materials;
  • the development of a wellbeing program, specifically targeted at the mental health wellbeing of Cadets;
  • the production of a youth development guide for Cadet Staff;
  • an evaluation of the behaviour policy, which is almost 12 months old now. The review will examine the extent to which behaviour has changed as a result of the policy;
  • a review of child protection policies and processes, to ensure they are in line with national best practice and State and Territory legislation; and
  • a review of psychological screening processes for new Cadet Staff.
Recommendation 39

"The committee recommends that the ADF take steps immediately to draft and make regulations dealing with the Australian Defence Force Cadets to ensure that the rights and responsibilities of Defence and cadet staff are defined."

Over the last 12 months the DDFC has consulted extensively with the three Cadet organisations, the three Services, the Australian Government Solicitor and Defence Legal to identify those areas within the existing Cadet Regulations 1977 that might be altered to better define the roles and responsibilities of Defence and Cadet Staff.

This initiative pre-dated the committee's report.

In late September 2005, the Defence Chiefs of Service Committee agreed to the framework of areas within the regulations that should be amended.

The DDFC has worked with the three Services and the Cadet organisations to flesh out the new policy content for the regulations and drafting instructions have been issued to the Office of Legislative Drafting in the Attorney-General's Department.

"Recommendation 40

The committee recommends that further resources be allocated to the Australian Defence Force Cadets to provide for an increased number of full-time, fully remunerated administrative positions across all three cadet organisations. These positions could provide a combination of coordinated administrative and complaint handling support."

The Service Chiefs have already provided additional resources to the ADFC to improve administrative support.

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