Senate debates

Wednesday, 18 October 2006

Questions without Notice: Additional Answers

Military Justice

3:03 pm

Photo of Eric AbetzEric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) Share this | | Hansard source

Mr President, I have some further information in relation to the question Senator Bishop asked me. Spooky as it is, I was right, Senator Bishop. I am advised that the issues to be tested by the High Court centre around whether courts martial are constitutionally valid and that this question appeared settled by High Court judgements between 1989 and 1994. In this instance, the member’s case has been suspended until a determination by the High Court that the member is still on active duty. There will not be an automatic suspension of the other approximately 60 cases before tribunals pending the High Court ruling.