Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the following matter be referred to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee for inquiry and report by 1 March 2013:

The report of the review of allegations of sexual and other abuse in Defence, conducted by DLA Piper, and the response of the Government to the report, including:

(a) the accessibility and adequacy of current mechanisms to provide support to victims of sexual and other abuse in Defence;

(b) whether an alternative expedited and streamlined system for the resolution of disputes relating to the support, rehabilitation, treatment and compensation of victims in Defence be considered and established, and the constitutionality of such an alternative system;

(c) the effectiveness and timeliness of the Government’s processes for assessing, investigating and responding to allegations of sexual or other forms of abuse, including:

(i) whether a dedicated victims advocacy service ought to be established,

(ii) systemic and cultural issues in reporting and investigating sexual and other forms of abuse, and

(iii) whether data and information collection and dissemination of data and information in relation to sexual and other forms of abuse in Defence is adequately maintained and appropriately acted upon and, if not, any alternative mechanisms that could be established; and

(d) any related matters.

Question agreed to.