Defence: Staff Surveys

Senator Chris Evans asked the Minister representing the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 16 May 2002:

1. Can a copy be provided of the current exit survey form given to Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel, as well as those used in the past 3 years, if the questions asked have changed at all over this period.
2. If the current attitudinal survey form asks any different questions to those in the past 3 years, can copies of the latter be provided.
3. Are the same exit and attitudinal survey forms used across the ADF, or are they different for each service.
4. Can copies be provided of the 'executive summary' (or similar type of document) of Defence's attempt to analyse the results of exit and attitudinal survey responses for the past 3 years.
5. Are all personnel leaving the ADF obliged to fill out an exit survey form (or similar document); if not, are any categories of personnel obliged to fill out exit surveys (for example, personnel from a certain category, such as all totally and permanently incapacitated personnel; all personnel who leave within 2 years of joining, etc) (please list the categories of personnel that are obliged to fill out exit surveys).
6. Are attitudinal survey forms given to all ADF personnel, or only to particular groups selected within the ADF (please detail the selection or distribution criteria for these forms, and how often surveys are done).
7. (a) Which part or parts of Defence currently construct, distribute, collect and analyse the data obtained from exit and attitudinal surveys; and (b) if this is different to the part or parts responsible for administering any stage of the survey process over the past 3 years, please list these as well.
8. (a) How many ADF censuses have been conducted; and (b) when were they conducted.
9. Can a copy be provided of the most recent census form circulated to ADF personnel, as well as copies of any 'executive summary' (or similar type of document) analysing the results of each of the censuses.

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

1. Yes. Copies have been forwarded separately to your office.
2. The most recent Attitude Survey (March 2001) differs slightly from the form used in 1999. Copies have been forwarded separately to your office.
3. A single Exit Survey form is used for all three Services. There are four variants of the Defence Attitude Survey, one for each of the services and one for Defence Civilians. Copies have been forwarded separately to your office.
4. Yes. Copies have been forwarded separately to your office.
5. No. There is no obligation for any member, or category, to complete the Exit Survey.
6. The Defence Attitude Survey is administered to a 30% sample of ADF military and civilian personnel. The stratified random sample is drawn from the various service and personnel databases. The surveys are mailed to each of the members selected, along with a replied paid envelope to enable them to return the completed instrument. There have been two Defence Attitude Surveys, conducted in September 1999 and March 2001. The next Defence Attitude Survey will be conducted in October 2002, and annually there after.
7. 1. The Directorate of Strategic Personnel Planning and Research (DSPPR) within the Defence Personnel Executive.
   2. DSPPR has had responsibility for the past 3 years.
8. 1. Three.
   2. 1991, 1995 and 1999.
9. Yes. Copies have been forwarded separately to your office.

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