Inspector-General of the ADF announces independent inquiry into military justice system

The Inspector-General of the ADF has launched an independent inquiry following allegations that the military justice system has been weaponised and abused.

An independent inquiry has been launched following allegations the military justice system has weaponised and abused.

The Inspector-General of the ADF has launched an independent inquiry following allegations that the military justice system has been weaponised and abused.

On Tuesday morning, the Department of Defence announced the inquiry would investigate abuse and system vulnerabilities, with a particular focus on matters from 2020 onwards.

Current and former ADF members, their families and members of public have also been invited provide information on the matter, with anonymous submissions also welcomed.

An IGADF statement online encouraged veterans to share their insight.

“Relevant and personal experiences and observations may be extremely important to the inquiry,” an IGADF statement read.

The inquiry’s advisory panel will consist of four experts, including emeritus professor Rosalind Crouch, suicidologist Dr Nikki Jamieson, Her Honour Sylvia Emmett and Royal Australian Air Force Warrant Officer Janet Brennan.

The ADF’s inner workings and conduct have fallen under increased scrutiny in recent years.

The inquiry continues a busy decade for the IGADF, with several significant inquiries into workplace culture, operations and other incidents.

In November, 2020, then-Chief of Defence Force Angus Campbell received a report - otherwise known as the Brereton Report - concerning allegations of war crimes.

The report found that between 2005 - 2016 at least 39 civilians had been unlawfully killed by the ADF or had involved ADF participation.

In October, 2023, the IGADF appointed an inquiry to examine the circumstances and causes surrounding the catastrophic crash of an MRH-90 Taipan helicopter in July that same year, claiming the lives of four men.

Originally published as Inspector-General of the ADF announces independent inquiry into military justice system