A damning report revealling sexual harrassment, binge drinking and mental cruelty at the Australian Defence Force Academy has brought quick responses from the Minister for Defence Personnel, Mrs Bronwyn Bishop, and the Chief of the Defence Force, GEN John Baker.

Steps have already been promised to counter the problems identified in the report, including a strict liquor sale regime, particularly to students under the age of 18, and the phasing in of segregated accommodation for junior cadets.

A "no touching" rule will be observed.

The report by the Defence Academy Review Team found there was a deeply embedded ethos of mysogony, bullying, wilfully offensive behaviour and occasional racism.

The team held that Hollywood films such as Full Metal Jacket, Top Gun and Platoon gave the wrong message to cadets.

The review followed media reports last year drawing attention to inadequate handling of cases of sexual assault and harassment at the academy .

Mrs Bishop said she welcomed the team's report. She said the review into policies and practices to deal with sexual harassment and offences at the academy was evidence that the Government and the Australian Defence Force took the issue of unaceceptable sexual beahaviour very seriously. The problems highlighted by the review included an apparent cultural problem at the academy, problems with the way incidents were currently handled and some problems with relationships between cadet groups, she said. "There are some sections of the report that are somewhat overstated, especially with respect to reservations about the academy's 'preparation for combat' focus. "First and foremost, the academy's role is to train our young men and women to be leaders in combat. "However I agree with most of the recommendations of the report and they will go a long way in making sure that these problems will not occur again.

"Let me say I have a great amount of admiration and respect for the young men and women at the academy and believe that the majority there, are professional. competent young leaders of the future."

Mrs Bishop said ADFA would continue to be the foundation of ADF officer training.

She also reaffirmed the Government's total commitment to "zero tolerance" to all forms of sexual harassment in the ADF. Within hours of the report being made public the CDF, General Baker' responded by announcing a series of changes to the way the academy did its business. "I am satisfied that the review was conducted in a thorough and professional manner," General Baker said. "Although the review focussed on ADFA , it will impact across the Australian Defence Force and the way we do business," he said. "The review team found evidence of occasional unacceptable behaviour, a need to exercise tighter staff control, a culture within the cadet body at ADFA which conflicts with the aims of the institution and a need to improve the handling of incidents which occur." General Baker said the findings of the report would be implemented by the new commandant of the academy under guidance from the Chiefs of Staff Committee. "I know the majority of young women and men at the academy are decent, hard working and upright young people," he said. "The large majority of cadets are extremely impressive and keen young men and women. "This report talks about a minority of cadets and their behaviour. "We set a higher standard for behaviour than the community norm and I together with all the service chiefs expect that all cadets from ADFA will adhere to this standard. "We have a zero tolerance for all forms of sexual harassment and this report gives us the way ahead." General Baker said the academy would continue to be a cornerstone of the ADF's officer training structure. -- Graham Davis --