Media Room: Media Releases

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT REVIEW ON THE

HEALTH OF THE REFORMED MILITARY JUSTICE SYSTEM

The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, today publicly released the ‘Report of the Independent Review on the Health of the Reformed Military Justice System’ (the Report).

Air Chief Marshal Houston said the Report was the result of the 2005 Senate Committee report ‘The Effectiveness of Australia’s Military Justice System’. It recommended the commissioning of regular independent reviews.

“This Report, the first of its kind under the new arrangements, provides me with an independent evaluation of the effectiveness of the reforms we have made to military justice to date,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said.

“I have received a detailed briefing from Sir Laurence Street and Air Marshal Les Fisher (Ret’d) - who led the review - on their findings and recommendations which were submitted to me at the end of January.

“I thank Sir Laurence Street, Air Marshal Les Fisher (Ret’d) and their team for their hard work.

“I am pleased to say it is a thorough, and overall, positive Report which offers practical recommendations to further enhance our system and consolidate the gains already made.

“Very considerable progress in military justice reform has been achieved in recent times but that does not mean there is not room for improvement.”

Air Chief Marshal Houston said he and Defence would now carefully consider the Report and its recommendations and develop an action plan.

“The reform program continues to be a matter of priority for me as the Chief of the Defence Force,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said.

“I am determined to ensure the momentum continues in military justice reform.”

Media Note: The Report can be found at:

http://www.defence.gov.au/header/publications.htm#I

Media contact:

Defence Media Liaison: 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664