Defence: Medical Board of Inquiry

Mr Price asked the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 17 November 2004:

1. Further to the answer to question No. 1674 (Hansard, 14 May 2003, page 14599), did "A", the plaintiff in the WA Medical Board of Inquiry investigation of Dr McKenzie, seek to use Navy internal procedures to redress the grievance; if so, (a) what type of redress was sought, (b) when was it initiated, (c) who considered the matter, (d) when was it finalised, and (e) what was the outcome.
2. Can the Minister explain how and why these internal procedures failed.
3. What actions has the Minister, the Chief of the Defence Force and the Chief of Navy taken to review the case and strengthen the internal procedures.

Mrs Kelly - The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

1. Yes.
   1. In the interests of 'A's privacy, and obligations under the Privacy Act 1988, it is inappropriate to comment.
   2. and (c) This matter is yet to be finalised and due to privacy considerations, no details can be released at this stage.
   4. and (e) This matter is yet to be finalised and, therefore, it would be inappropriate to comment at this time.
2. These internal procedures have not failed. This matter is yet to be finalised.
3. It would be inappropriate to comment at this time regarding any future action on behalf of the Minister, the Chief of the Defence Force or the Chief of Navy because this matter is yet to be finalised.
   
   The Chief of the Defence Force and the Defence Force Ombudsman have agreed that to strengthen the internal process the redress of grievance system requires further review, with particular emphasis on the responsiveness of the system. Consequently, an interdepartmental steering committee and a review team have been established to examine the Australian Defence Force redress of grievance system.

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