MEDIA RELEASE

26 November 2014

DEFENCE ABUSE TASKFORCE CALLS FOR ROYAL COMMISSION INTO ABUSE AT

AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE ACADEMY
The Australian Government should establish a Royal Commission into abuse at the Australian
Defence Force Academy from its inception to the present day, according to a landmark report
released by the Defence Abuse Response Taskforce today.
The Taskforce Report on abuse in Defence is based on more than 1600 complaints of abuse in
Defence, and presents a disturbing picture of the nature and extent of abuse in Defence. The report
was tabled by the Minister for Defence alongside the Taskforce Report on abuse at the Australian
Defence Force Academy, which specifically focused on complaints relating to abuse at the Australian
Defence Force Academy (ADFA).
The Taskforce has concluded that the only way of ensuring confidence that the allegations of very
serious abuse at ADFA can be thoroughly and completely investigated and appropriately dealt with
is by way of a Royal Commission, said the Chair of the Taskforce, the Hon Len Roberts-Smith RFD,
QC.
Both of the reports tabled in Parliament today by the Minister for Defence contain shocking
accounts of abuse suffered by people who have served in Defence. These accounts include
complaints of abuse at ADFA from its inception and complaints about abuse in Defence more
generally across all services and in every decade since the 1940s, up to the Taskforce cut-off date of
April 2011, he said.
Many complainants have never spoken of the abuse they suffered before, even to their close
friends and family. I would like to commend their courage in coming forward to the Taskforce.
Complaints of abuse received by the Taskforce recount repeated acts of physical violence, as well as
disturbing instances of sexual abuse carried out by more senior members of Defence in positions of
trust and power over complainants. Many complainants described relentless and degrading
harassment and bullying, with individuals particularly targeted for abuse as a result of their gender,
age, race, workplace performance, sexuality or perceived sexuality, physical limitations and illness
and injury. The reports also contain serious accounts of Defence mismanagement of complaints of
abuse.
It is impossible to read or listen to the harrowing personal accounts included in these reports
without being affected, said Mr Roberts-Smith.

4 National Circuit, BARTON ACT 2600 Telephone: (02) 6141 4550 Email: DART@ag.gov.au

It is the Taskforces hope that the reports will assist Defence in its ongoing efforts to prevent, stop
and respond to abuse as well as providing a sense of acknowledgement to people who suffered
abuse and their families.
The reports provide an update on the substantial progress that has been made by the Taskforce in
providing practical outcomes to people who suffered abuse in Defence. These outcomes may include
free counselling; a Reparation Payment of up to $50 000; a facilitated conference with a senior
Defence representative arranged under the world-first Defence Abuse Restorative Engagement
Program; referral to civilian police or to the Chief of the Defence Force for administrative or
disciplinary action.
The feedback that we have received from complainants indicates that outcomes provided by the
Taskforce are having a significant positive impact on peoples lives.
Despite the concerning accounts of abuse contained in the reports, the Taskforce acknowledges that
Defence has demonstrated an institutional commitment to achieving cultural change in recent years.
This is demonstrated in particular by their ongoing support for the Taskforce Restorative
Engagement Program.
The Taskforce considers that Defence should be given the opportunity to continue the measures it
has been taking to effect cultural change, said Mr Roberts-Smith. Further recommendations as to
whether a Royal Commission into abuse in Defence more broadly is merited will be made prior to
the conclusion of the Taskforce in mid-2016.
The release of these reports coincides with the conclusion of Mr Roberts-Smiths term as Chair of
the Taskforce. Mr Roberts-Smith was originally appointed for a 12-month term and has since
accepted two extensions.
It is anticipated that the Government will soon announce the arrangements to be made for the
Taskforce beyond 30 November 2014. However, the Taskforce has already put in place
arrangements to ensure that there are no delays to the delivery of outcomes to complainants.
Copies of the Report on abuse in Defence and the Report on abuse at the Australian Defence Force
Academy, along with Reading Guides, are available on the Taskforce website:
http://www.defenceabusetaskforce.gov.au/reports/Pages/default.aspx.
Media Contact:

georgia.flynn@ag.gov.au

4 National Circuit, BARTON ACT 2600 Telephone: (02) 6141 4550 Email: DART@ag.gov.au