Military Justice
The Senate referred the matter of the effectiveness of Australia's military justice system to the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee for inquiry and report in October 2003.
The committee tabled its report The effectiveness of Australia's military justice system on 16 June 2005. The committee concluded there was a need for a wholesale review of the military justice system and made 40 recommendations.
The Government's response to the report, tabled 5 October 2005, agreed in whole, in part, or in principle to 30 of the 40 recommendations and advised alternative solutions to meet the outcomes sought by the report's recommendations concerning referral of offences to civilian authorities, the legislative basis of a permanent military court and the establishment of and ADF Administrative Review Board.
The military justice system has been the subject of a number of recent reviews and developments for continuous improvement. It provides an important disciplinary framework necessary for ADF operations, includes mechanisms for transparency and public accountability within the limits of operational effectiveness, security and privacy constraints.
Links:
For more information about the Senate Inquiry, visit the Senate Inquiry website
Reports
Investigative capability reform