On 16 August 2024, the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force (IGADF) commenced an independent inquiry into allegations and perceptions that the military justice system has been, or has the potential to be, 'weaponised' or abused such that it may cause harm.
The Inquiry will consider the extent of any such abuse and any features of the military justice system that may allow for abuse. It will also evaluate existing protective factors and recommend improvements.
The Inquiry Directions can be found here.
Advisory Panel
An Advisory Panel of 4 eminent Australians will assist the Inquiry. The Advisory Panel will provide expert guidance, strategic advice and independent oversight to ensure the Inquiry’s objectives, as set out in the Directions, are met. The Advisory Panel members are:
- Her Honour Sylvia Emmett AM RAN (Retd)
- Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM
- Doctor Nikki Jamieson
- Warrant Officer Janet Brennan
Biographies of the Advisory Panel can be found here.
Make a submission to the Inquiry
The Inquiry is open to receive public submissions from 17 March to 22 June 2025 inclusive.
Relevant personal experiences and observations may be extremely important to the Inquiry. The Inquiry invites submissions from current or former Australian Defence Force members, their families and other members of the public with an interest in the Defence and veteran community.
The Inquiry particularly welcomes comments and observations about issues or matters that have occurred within the past 5 years, from 2020 onwards. While relevant historical matters and observations are important, the focus of this Inquiry is on current and future reform.
The process for making a submission to the Inquiry is outlined below:
- Submissions can be made:
- Via the online form.
- By email to igadf.weaponisationinquiry@defence.gov.au.
- Submissions can be made anonymously. De-identified submissions or summaries of submissions may be published on the IGADF website or as enclosures to the final Inquiry Report.
- If making a submission via the online form, please select whether you are willing to have a de-identified version of your submission published.
- If making a submission via email, please note in your email whether you are willing to have a de-identified version of your submission published.
- Not all submissions will be published.
- The Inquiry will acknowledge all submissions.
Any submissions made directly to the Inquiry will not be considered complaints to the IGADF. If you wish to make a complaint to the IGADF, please follow the process outlined here.
If you make a submission to the Inquiry, you are protected under the Section 31 of the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force Regulation 2016 . It is an offence to prevent or dissuade someone from providing information to the Inquiry or to victimise, penalise or prejudice someone from giving information to the Inquiry.
If you have any questions about making a submission, or any other questions about the Inquiry, please contact the Inquiry Team at igadf.weaponisationinquiry@defence.gov.au.
Support Services
This Inquiry may raise matters that cause distress. Details of support services are available here.
Contact the Inquiry Team
Contact with the Inquiry Team is via e-mail to igadf.weaponisationinquiry@defence.gov.au.