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Department of Defence Hot Issue Briefs

In keeping with improved accountability within the Department of Defence, from 20 January 2012, Hot Issue Briefs submitted to the Minister for Defence by the Department of Defence will be publicly released.

On 20 January 2011, the Minister for Defence released 116 Hot Issue Briefs from the period 14 September 2010 to the present, as listed in the table below. Summary information about the briefs is provided below.

Together with the 138 Hot Issue Briefs released under Freedom of Information provisions on 9 January 2012, this places on the public record 245 of the 248 of Hot Issue Briefs submitted to Minister for Defence Stephen Smith. There are selected briefs not being released at this time as they would prejudice ongoing matters. They will be released once those matters are finalised.

In the future, Hot Issue Briefs to the Minister for Defence will be released below in PDF Icon Portable Document Format, usually within one week after submission to the Minister.

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"HIB Date"
HIB NoGroupDateDocument Description
821 OSCDF Apr 28, 2011 (Redacted Text) attending Australian Maritime College sent home for misconduct
912 Army Nov 11, 2011 (Redacted Text) based soldier charged with several offences, including rape
843 OSCDF Jun 28, 2011 (Redacted Text) has applied for an Australian Protection Visa
787 DSG Feb 24, 2011 3 inch mortar bomb struck by civil contractors at Gallipoli Barracks, Eiloggera, QLD
935 Army Dec 01, 2011 5 Black Hawks forces landing - Normanhurst, Fraser Park and Canton Beach
800 DSG Mar 21, 2011 A contractor to Defence has suffered a suspected heart attack while on-site at Columboola, QLD
764 VCDF Dec 16, 2010 ADFA adventure training boating incident (February 2010) - Verdict in criminal trial of boat coxswain - 21 December 2010
734 VCDF Nov 09, 2010 ADFA adventure training incident (February 2010) - Legal proceedings 15- 16 November 2010
870 VCDF Sep 03, 2011 ADFA cadet injured in canyoning activity
720 VCDF Oct 29, 2010 ADFA officer cadet has been charged by the AFP for theft
723 VCDF Nov 01, 2010 ADFA officer cadets were apprehended by the AFP for theft
742 DSG Nov 17, 2010 ADF member claims theft of Jewellery during Defence relocation
939 CJOPS Dec 08, 2011 Allegation of assault against contracted bar staff at Larrakeyah Warrant Officer and Sergeants Mess, assault against Military Police and Insubordination
922 Navy Nov 15, 2011 Allegation of inappropriate behaviour by a Member of RAN Recruit School Staff
906 CJOPS Nov 11, 2011 Allegation of sexual assault on (Redacted Text) members
885 VCDF Sep 22, 2011 Allegations of inappropriate behaviour by members of Australia's Federation Guard
961 Navy Feb 7, 2012 Allegations of sexual and indecent assault on a female trainee sailor by a male trainee sailor
866 VCDF Aug 25, 2011 Allegation that an international cadet at ADFA has attempted to use a camera enabled mobile phone device above a shower cubicle
953 CJOPS Jan 03, 2012 Alleged act of sexual indecency in HMAS Parramatta
920 VCDF Oct 29, 2011 Alleged assault at ADFA
966
 Navy Feb 13, 2012 Alleged Indecent Assault
993
 Army Apr 5, 2012 Alleged sex offence
958 Army Dec 15, 2011 Alleged sexual and indecent assault
927 Army Nov 22, 2011 Alleged sexual assault of Army cadet by another Army Cadet at a training activity in (Redacted Text)
937 Army Dec 06, 2011 Alleged sexual assault - RMC Garrison
804 VCDF Apr 01, 2011 Alleged video transmission of sexual activity at ADFA
818 VCDF Apr 15, 2011 An ADFA officer cadet has allegedly been the victim of a physical and verbal assault
923 VCDF Nov 18, 2011 An ADFA officer cadet has attempted self harm
847 VCDF Jul 06, 2011 An ADFA officer cadet will attend ACT Magistrates Court 7 Jul 11
992
 DMO Apr 4, 2012 An unserviceable MRH-90 Helicopter at ADFA
921 DSTO Nov 10, 2011 Apparent suicide at DSTO Edinburgh's South Gate
947 VCDF Dec 16, 2011 APS Employee of (Redacted Text) arrested and charged with serious civilian offences - (Updated and Final Report)
948 VCDF Nov 15, 2011 APS Employee of (Redacted Text) arrested and charged with serious civilian offences
1010
 Army May, 16, 2012 Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter suspension of flying operation
978 DMO Mar 8, 2012 Army Captain charged with arson
931 Army Nov 25, 2011 Army member arrested for alleged indecent assault on a minor
928 Army Nov 23, 2011 Army member arrested for indecent dealings with minors
988 Army Mar 21, 2012 Army member arrested on multiple charges
991
 Army Apr 4, 2012 Army member arrested on theft charges
1008 Army May 10, 2012 Army Member Charged for Illegal Firearms
983 Army Mar 15, 2012 Army Member Custodial Sentence for Assault
1005
 Army May 2, 2012 Army Member has received a Summons to Court on Alleged Sex Offences
934 Army Nov 29, 2011 Army member jailed for indecent dealing with two minors
965
 Army Feb 12, 2012 Army members involved in motor vehicle accident on Christmas Island
959 Army Jan 31, 2012 Army Reserve Member Charged with Indecent Assault on a Minor
954 Army Jan 04, 2012 Army Reserve soldier arrested and charged with nine counts of alleged sexual assault relation to offences involving a minor
827 VCDF May 14, 2011 Arrest of ADFA cadet
973 RAAF Feb 29, 2012 Arrest of Defence Member on civil offences
933 Air Force Nov 25, 2011 Arrest of RAAF member on child sex charges
952 Air Force Dec 23, 2011 Aviation fuel contamination RAAF Base Amberley (First and Final Update)
951 Air Force Dec 21, 2011 Aviation fuel contamination RAAF Base Amberley
968 RAAF Feb 17, 2012 Aviation security incident - Darwin Airport
999
 Army Apr 24, 2012 Black Hawk precautionary Landing at Kokoda
1000
 Army Apr 24, 2012 Black Hawk precautionary Landing at Kokoda update
1007 DSG May 9, 2012 Bomb Threat at Lavarack Barracks - Townsville
816 DSG Apr 14, 2011 Canberra bomber (Static Display) Aviation Turbine Fuel incident at RAAF Wagga
979 Army Mar 9, 2012 Car Jacking incident with ADF members in PNG
823 DSG May 06, 2011 Changes to partners in DLA Piper including Melanie McKean
769 DMO Jan 07, 2011 Changes to the JSF Program
794 DSG Mar 09, 2011 Child of ADF member allegedly inappropriately taken from a Service residence at Defence Establishment Berrimah
779 DMO Feb 09, 2011 Civilian employee of US Navy Submarine Combat System Program Office charged with bribery
728 VCDF Nov 14, 2010 Civilian fatality at Defence establishment Orchard Hills - 4 Nov 10
751 DMO Nov 30, 2010 Closure of Raytheon Office at RAAF Base Richmond
930 Navy Nov 24, 2011 Complaint of inappropriate behaviour by Navy Sailor in Relation to His (Redacted Text)
814 DSG Apr 12, 2011 Complaint of lack of support to bereaved ADF family
987
 Air Force Mar 19, 2012 Conviction and Sentencing of an Air Force Member
949 Navy Dec 16, 2011 Death of a Junior Sailor
980 Army Mar 13, 2012 Death of an Army Member in a Single Motor Vehicle Accident
772 Army Jan 20, 2011 Death of an Army soldier in Brisbane
971 Navy Feb 22, 2012 Death of a Sailor
989
 DSTO Mar 23, 2012 Death of DSTO employee overseas
913 Navy Nov 11, 2011 Death of RAN Member ashore in Cambodia
943 Navy Nov 16, 2011 Death of RAN Member Ashore in Cambodia - Update One (325/11)
907 Navy Nov 11, 2011 Death of sailor onboard HMAS Toowoomba in Mumbai
982 Navy Mar 14, 2012 Defence Force Appeals Tribunal - RAN Officer's Sentencing Appeal
919 DSG Nov 4, 2010 Defence Force Discipline ACT 1982 summons for production of Defence personnel files - including medical, psychological and counseling
759 DSG Dec 09, 2010 Delay in pay for Defence personnel banking with credit unions including Australia Defence Credit Union
749 DSG Nov 25, 2010 Delay in pay for Defence personnel banking with the National Australia Bank
755 CIOG Dec 04, 2010 Disbursement of monies from Defence fundraising efforts
746 CJOPS Nov 21, 2010 Discovery of anabolic steroids in HMAS Melbourne
812 CJOPS Apr 07, 2011 Distribution of pornographic video images in Solomon Islands allegedly involving a (Redacted Text) member
944 Navy Nov 15, 2011 Duplicate of Navy HIB000922
981 Air Force Mar 14, 2012 Fatal Traffic Accident
918 CJOPS Nov 03, 2011 Footage taken by camera crew of intoxicated sailor fighting with Darwin police
799 CJOPS Mar 13, 2011 Forces entertainment tour pepper spray incident in East Timor
809 OSCDF Apr 07, 2011 Foreign Military Student very seriously ill
788 DSG Mar 04, 2011 Gas leak at RAAF Base Williamtown - 04 Mar 11
910 DSG Oct 29, 2011 Grounding of Qantas Fleet
828 DMO May 17, 2011 HAZCHEM incident at AWD Svstems Centre, Adelaide
876 DSG Sep 08, 2011 Helicopter accident vicinity Shoal Water Bay Training Area
962
 Navy Feb 8, 2012 HMAS Armidale equipment failure alongside Sembawang, Singapore 8 February 2012
914 Navy Nov 09, 2011 HMAS Huon - Alleged Assault
766 CJOPS Dec 24, 2010 HMAS Melbourne alcohol related incident in Aqaba, Jordan
1003
 CJOPS Apr 26, 2012 Inappropriate Behaviour - Malaysia
1011
 Army May, 16, 2012 Inappropriate email sent by Army member
970
 Navy Feb 13, 2012 Inappropriate images on a hard drive
969
 Navy Feb 13, 2012 Incident onboard Navy Minor War Vessel
726 PSP Nov 03, 2010 Indigenous employment development course participant critically ill
972
 Navy Feb 24, 2012 Inflight engine shutdown during training sortie
761 VCDF Dec 10, 2010 Investigation into alleged use of illicit substances HMAS Kuttabul
754 DMO Dec 04, 2010 JASSM Live Fire
735 DMO Nov 10, 2010 JSF Fatigue Test Failure
736 DMO Nov 10, 2010 JSF Fatigue Test Failure - Update
905 DSG Oct 18, 2011 Lavarack Barracks Townsville - Crocodile Relocation
740 CJOPS Nov 15, 2010 Lightning strike on AP-3C aircraft in Darwin
867 DMO Aug 26, 2011 Light Weight Torpedo translation tender
744 DMO Nov 18, 2010 Loss of an MU90 Lightweight Exercise Torpedo in the Navy's Western Australia Exercise Area
745 DMO Nov 19, 2010 Loss of an MU90 Lightweight exercise torpedo in the Navy's Western Australia exercise area
1009
 VCDF May 11, 2012 Loss of USB Thumb Drive containing sensitive information
964
 Navy Feb 10, 2012 Male sailor to appear in court for Appeal Hearing
743 CJOPS Nov 17, 2010 Motor vehicle accident whilst driving under the influence of alcohol;17 Nov 10
926 Army Nov 20, 2011 Murder investigation involving a Townsville-based ADF married couple
834 DSG May 24, 2011 National Archives of Australia has informed Defence that a Defence file with drawings of Keswick Barracks has been lost in a taxi
940 Navy Dec 08, 2011 Naval Officer - Court Martial verdict
995 Navy Apr 12, 2012 Navy Helicopter - Transport by road
721 CJOPS Oct 29, 2010 Navy officer arrested in Singapore
1006
 Navy May 3, 2012 Navy Sailor Involved in Serious Motor Vehicle Accident
936 Navy Dec 04, 2011 Navy Seahawk Helicopter Unserviceable at Coffs Harbour Airport
985 Navy Mar 16, 2012 Navy Vessel - Maintenance Incident
997 Navy Apr 22, 2012 Not to be released until investigations are completed
998 VCDF Apr 23, 2012 Not to be released until investigations are completed
1004
 Army Apr 12, 2012 Not to be released until investigations have been completed
986
 Navy Mar 19, 2012 Not to be released until investigations have been completed
994
 VCDF Apr 11, 2012 Not to be released until investigations have been completed
996 Army Apr 13, 2012 Not to be released until legal proceedings are concluded
950 Navy Dec 20, 2011 Outcome of Defence Force Magistrate Trial for a HMAS Stirling Sailor
942 Navy Dec 09, 2011 Outcome of General Court Martial for Sailor at HMAS Stirling
945 Navy Dec 13, 2011 Outcome of General Court Martial - LCDR Jones
946 Navy Dec 14, 2011 Outcome of General Court martial- LCDR Jones - Update
1012
Latest		 DMO May 18, 2012Parade Boot Sole Separation
786 CJOPS Mar 01, 2011 Parent of HMAS Stuart sailor claims allegations of victimisation
724 CDG Nov 02, 2010 Pathfinder Publication
892 DSG Oct 04, 2011 Pay issue impacting Defence Reservists
835 DSG May 28, 2011 Personal information released by Defence APS recruitment
865 CJOPS Aug 24, 2011 Photographs taken by sailor that have the potential to attract media or parliamentary interest; Larrakeyah Barracks 24 Aug 2011
932 CIOG Nov 25, 2011 Possible corruption allegations being made against Defence in relation to dealings with Rivercorp
908 DSTO Nov 11, 2011 Potential theft of Restricted /Commercial-in-Confidence document from Military Communication Information Systems Conference, Canberra
963
 Air Force Feb 10, 2012 Precautionary MAYDAY declared by Hawk 127 aircraft
777 CJOPS Feb 04, 2011 Probable assault of ADF member in Yokuska Japan
846 DSG Jul 05, 2011 Protest action at Swan Island
852 DSG Jul 20, 2011 Protestors - Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera - 20 Jul 11
924 Navy Nov 18, 2011 RAN Band WA Detachment Assistance at Scene of Motor Vehicle Accident
925 Navy Nov 18, 2011 RAN Band WA Detachment Assistance at Scene of Motor Vehicle Accident
796 I and S Mar 10, 2011 Recovered USB stick
798 I and S Mar 11, 2011 Recovered USB stick - update
747 DMO Nov 21, 2010 Recovery of the MU90 Lightweight exercise torpedo that was lost in the Navy's Western Australia exercise on 18 November 2010
941 I and S Dec 09, 2011 Referral of (Redacted Text) staff member to Canberra (Redacted Text)
806 OSCDF Apr 04, 2011 Release of ASPI Report: 'Reliable Partners-Strengthening Australia-Timor Leste Relations'
836 OSCDF May 27, 2011 Release of ASPI Report : Staying the Course: Australia and Maritime security in the South Pacific
773 CIOG Jan 23, 2011 Release of Defence Restricted Network (DRN) user details to The Australian newspaper
990 Navy Mar 28, 2012 Report of alleged sexual assault
1002
 Air force Apr 26, 2012 Rescue Of Children And Pet From A Burning House By An Air Force Member
929 PSP Nov 24, 2011 Reserve payslips not available for pay day 24 November 2011
967 CJOPS Feb 15, 2012 Sailor hospitalised for excessive alcohol consumption
771 DMO Jan 20, 2011 Serious incident involving aircraft on Australian KC-30A Multi-role tanker transport program
984 Navy Mar 16, 2012 Small fire onboard Australian Navy Vessel
1001
 Army Apr 24, 2012 Soldiers injured in training
900 I and S Oct 18, 2011 South Australian Police warrant resulting in arrest of a person and seizure of weapons - possible ADF Nexus
902 I and S Oct 18, 2011 South Australian Police warrant resulting in arrest of a person and seizure of weapons - possible ADF Nexus
955 Army Jan 19, 2012 Suspension of Army Black Hawk Operations
711 DSG Sep 21, 2010 Suspicious package at Queanbeyan Archives and Mail Centre (QAMC)
801 DSG Mar 24, 2011 Suspicious package found under the seat of a motor vehicle at Defence National storage and Distribution Centre, Moorebank, NSW
862 DSG Aug 19, 2011 Suspicious package incident at Lavarack Barracks Townsville
956 Army Jan 19, 2012 Theft at School of Infantry, Singleton
974 DSTO Mar 3, 2012 Defence Employee Detained in the United Kingdom
975 Army Mar 3, 2012 Army Member injured in a motorcycle accident in Western Australia
976 Navy Mar 7, 2012 Allegation of Sexual Assault
960 DSG Feb 2, 2012 Threats of Violence Against Defence Contractors at Beecroft Weapons Range (BWR) in Shoalhaven
977 Army Mar 8, 2012 Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter accident in South East Queensland
717 DMO Oct 01, 2010 Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter Landing in Emerald due to a gearbox fault indication
727 CJOPS Nov 03, 2010 Transit security element 58 member arrested 03 Nov 10
737 VCDF Nov 10, 2010 UNSW@ADFA - Session Two 2010 - Publicity relating to staff member withholding academic results
752 VCDF Dec 02, 2010 UNSW@ADFA - Session Two 2010 - Publicity relating to staff member withholding academic results
855 CJOPS Jul 25, 2011 USN motor vehicle accident near RAAF Base Amberley;Talisman Sabre 11
708 DSG Sep 15, 2010 UXO disposal tomorrow - Heathcote Road, Sydney
873 DSG Sep 06, 2011 UXO in vicinity of Geraldton, WA
875 DSG Sep 08, 2011 UXO in vicinity of Geraldton, WA - Update

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What is a Hot Issue Brief?

A Hot Issue Brief provides initial and early advice to Ministers and Defence senior leaders on sensitive or complex matters or incidents that may require their immediate attention. Due to the immediacy of preparation of Hot Issue Briefs, the advice provided can sometimes prove to be inaccurate or require further clarification once the situation has stabilised.

Hot Issue Briefs do not represent the full and complete facts associated with an incident or issue. This should be borne in mind in reading Hot Issue Briefs.

Public Release of Hot Issue Briefs

The Black Review of the Defence Accountability Framework challenged Defence to enhance individual and collective accountability. Placing on the public record Defence's advice to the Minister for Defence on these issue - including instances of inappropriate behaviour - is a part of that accountability.

From 20 January 2012, Hot Issue Briefs will be released on the Defence Website, usually within one week after submission to the Minister. The only exceptions to that rule will be individually and personally approved by the Secretary of the Department of Defence or the Chief of the Defence Force, and based solely on criteria that public release would:

In those circumstances, the Secretary or the Chief of the Defence Force will be required to set an expiration date on the information in that Hot Issue Brief, after which time the brief will be publicly released.

This approach is consistent with the key changes to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 that came into effect on 1 November 2010, and the Information Publication Scheme.

Redaction of Hot Issue Briefs

Hot Issue Briefs redactions are undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 1982, and are based on the removal of information that may:

Summary Information about the 116 Hot Issue Briefs released on 20 Jan 2012

Personnel Related

There are 58 HIBs on personnel related issues.

The breakdown is as follows:

Capability

There are 21 HIBs on defence capability related issues. These include: lost and stolen materiel; materiel deficiencies; materiel incidents such as fuel contamination; industry support incidents; and concerns about defence projects.

Other

The remaining 39 HIBs cover a range of matters including: security breaches (ICT and base security); lost and stolen property; industrial action; Defence assistance to the community; occupational health and safety issues that include gas leaks, training incidents, crocodile relocation; and complaints about accommodation.

Status of Investigations

Sixty-seven of these incidents were reported to civil police or the ADF Investigative Service (ADFIS) for investigation and 3 were reported to the Defence Security Authority and relate to the potential theft of documents.

Of the incidents that were reported to civilian police or ADFIS, 15 are now closed and the remainder are either under investigation or waiting disciplinary or civil court action.

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