Submissions for phase two:

Thank you for your interest in making a submission to our Review.

If you have any queries please email us at defence.review@humanrights.gov.au. If you would like to contact a member of the Review team in confidence or anonymously please us call 1800 656 945.

Make a submission about the Treatment of Women in the Australian Defence Force

Click here to make your submission

Read other submissions

Click here to view submissions to phase one (Treatment of Women in ADFA)
Click here to view submissions to phase two (Treatment of Women in the ADF)

Nature of submissions sought

The Review Panel is now calling for written submissions for phase two of the Review relating to the treatment of women in the ADF.

Specifically, written submissions are being sought on the following aspects of the Terms of Reference:

The effectiveness of the cultural change strategies recommended by the Chief of the Defence Force Women's Reference Group in the Women’s Action Plan including the implementation of these strategies across the Australian Defence Force;
Measures and initiatives required to improve the pathways for increased representation of women into the senior ranks and leadership of the Australian Defence Force; and
Any other matters incidental to the terms of reference such as sexual harassment, sexual abuse and unacceptable behaviour.

The Review will not be investigating or making findings in relation to individual allegations or complaints. The Review can only report and make recommendations in relation to the systemic issues arising from the Terms of Review.

The full terms of reference can be obtained from www.humanrights.gov.au/defencereview/terms.html.

All individuals, community groups, private, non-government and government organisations, with a view on the matters being considered in this review are invited to make a submissions.

Written submissions must address at least one of the Review’s Terms of Reference. To ensure that your submission can be utilised by the Review, the Review Secretariat has developed an online submission form designed to help stakeholders address the specific Terms of Reference.

Publication of submissions

It is likely that the Review will draw upon the contents of submissions or quote from them or refer to them in its Report. Consistent with a commitment to openness, the Review prefers to publish Submissions and, in the absence of a clear indication that a submission is intended to be confidential, the Review will treat submissions as non- confidential and they will be published on the Review website (including the name of the person making the submission).

Confidential submissions

People wishing to make a confidential submission should make this clear at the time of lodgement and provide a reason why confidentiality is sought (because, for example, their submission includes sensitive information or personal experiences where there is a wish to retain privacy). Automatically generated confidentiality statements in e-mails will not suffice. Where confidentiality is sought, and the reason provided, the Review will not publish those submissions.

Further, if you wish to make part of our submission publically and part confidentially then please put in two separate submissions.

However, people should note that any request made under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) for access to a submission marked confidential will be determined in accordance with that Act. While the Review will endeavour to identify and protect confidential and exempt material there is no absolute guarantee that the Review will not be required to reveal confidential information as a result of an FOI request.

Considerations regarding self-incrimination, defamation and privacy obligations

All individuals wishing to provide information to the Review are reminded that the Review is not a court of law nor is it an investigative authority to examine individual complaints. The submission or information you provide is not legally privileged and is subject to the ordinary rules of self-incrimination and of defamation as well as the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

Individuals should also consider any obligations they may have to third parties, including an employer or client. This could include the privacy of others or confidentiality obligations. If you are considering making a submission or providing information to the Review, or publishing your written submission, you are entitled to seek independent legal advice. If you are in doubt as to your legal position, you should seek that advice.

Technical issues

Please note: Older browsers may not be able to use the submission form. Please contact uson 1800 656 945 or TTY 1800 620 241 for alternative arrangements if you cannot use the form. Older browsers that may be affected include Internet Explorer 6, Firefox 3.0.5, and Safari 3 and earlier models.

If you experience any technical problems with loading your submission, please notify our web team at webfeedback@humanrights.gov.au or (02) 9284 9698.

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