Australian Defence Force: Stunden Report

Senator Brown asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 7 January 2002:

Following the death of Eleanore Tibble in November 2000 and the Stunden report of 3 May 2001:

1. What actions have been taken to implement the recommendations of the Stunden report.
2. What procedures have been put in place to ensure that in future no cadet is: judged guilty on what they deny, not provided with a right of appeal, denied natural justice, treated less favourably by virtue of their age than an adult enlisted member, and victimised and hounded to death.
3. What changes have been made to policy and procedures to ensure that procedural practice is determined by policy and not by summary decisions and ad hoc personal persuasion.

Senator Hill - The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

The Stunden Report was an Inquiry into the Administrative Processes and Procedures Surrounding the Suspension of Cadet Sergeant Eleanore Tibble. In response to the Stunden Report the following actions have been taken or are in the course of implementation:

• The Australian Air Force Cadet (AAFC) Policy Manual has been revised to include Codes of Behaviour for cadets and staff, specifically detailing the administrative procedures and practices to be followed when dealing with minors.
• A Personnel Management Training Program has been introduced for all staff. This will be an ongoing program. The first course was conducted in November 2001 and covered topics such as Equity and Diversity, Legal Principles and Implications for Air Force Cadet Members, Psychology of Adolescent Behaviour, Management of Behaviour Modification, and Management of Due Process.
• Administrative action has been initiated against those AAFC staff identified by the Stunden Report.

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