Options for infringement

Members can have a time extension to elect discipline officer. Photo by Lt Simone Heyer

CDF has approved the introduction of a revised discipline officer infringement notice.

The revision reduces the period in which a member can elect to be dealt with by a discipline officer to 24 hours, with the provision for the member to seek an extension of time to make an election.

If the member does not elect to be dealt with by a discipline officer, he or she may be referred to a member who is authorised for laying charges under the Defence Force Discipline Act.

The revised AC576 Infringment Notice took effect on units’ receipt of a message sent by CDF on April 13.

The infringement notice sets out the details of the infringement, member’s rights and penalties that may be imposed by the discipline officer, the member’s right to elect to be dealt with by a discipline officer and the period in which the election must be made.

The Discipline Officer Scheme was introduced in 1995. The reduction in the election period was recommended in the Report of an Inquiry into Military Justice in the ADF July 2001. Mr James Burchett found that the speed and simplicity of the discipline officer scheme were perceived as important advantages in its operation.

Some minor changes to the formatting of the form have also been made to try to make it easier to use.