Thirty-five witnesses to be called by Defence Department in Jason Challis hearing

THE Department of Defence is set to bring more than 30 witnesses to court for a hearing over the death of an ADF soldier

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THE Defence Department is set to bring at least 35 witnesses to court for a hearing over the death of ADF soldier Jason Challis.

The Commonwealth Department of Prosecutions charged the Defence Department with three breaches of work health and safety laws after an inquest into the 25-year-old’s death.

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Private Challis was killed during a training exercise at an ADF facility about 130km southeast of Darwin.

Lawyer for the Defence Department Megan Voller appeared in the Darwin Local Court via phone on Tuesday and requested the matter be listed for a three-week hearing.

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Ms Voller said her client currently expected to call 35 witnesses who were required to give evidence and four who were not.

The matter will return to court for a hearing date to be set next month.

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