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26 March 2014Book page
Chapter 1: Audit approach and methodology
The ADF Audit began at the end of August 2013, one year from the tabling of the ADF Review’s Report, in accordance with the Terms of Reference. While the ADF Review’s Report was broad in scope, the approach of the ADF Audit was necessarily more specific. Accordingly, the team conducting the Audit sought to gather evidence of the implementation of the recommendations contained in the ADF… -
26 March 2014Book page
Chapter 2: Summary of Audit findings
Principle 1: Strong leadership drives reform COSC agreed to the implementation of all the ADF Review’s recommendations and integrated these reforms into Pathway to Change. The most senior leadership has taken responsibility for the implementation of the ADF Review’s recommendations and COSC is updated on matters pertaining to its implementation. COSC issued a Foundation Statement which… -
26 March 2014Book page
Chapter 3: Overview of implementation of ADF Review recommendations
The ADF Review contained 21 recommendations. The Chiefs of Service Committee (COSC) agreed to 15 of these, with the further six agreed ‘in principle’. The Chief of the Defence Force stated that ‘in principle’ agreement indicates that the COSC unanimously agreed to the concept and intent of the recommendations, but practical implementation considerations require that a more detailed… -
26 March 2014Book page
Chapter 4: Principle 1: Strong leadership drives reform
Key findings of ADF Review To support and drive the cultural reform envisaged by the ADF Review, strong, clear and consistent leadership is essential. This commitment must be widely communicated and reinforced at all levels of the organisation through policies, practices, rewards and sanctions. Progress must be monitored at the most senior levels regularly and transparently. Every member of… -
26 March 2014Book page
Chapter 5: Principle 2: Diversity of leadership increases capability
Key findings of ADF Review The ADF Review stated that harnessing all available leadership talent, and employing a diversity of thought and experience, was critical to increasing capability, and to more effective problem solving. It noted that the ADF was an organisation largely comprised of white Australian men, which lacked the perspectives and experiences of women, Aboriginal and Torres… -
26 March 2014Book page
Chapter 6: Principle 3: Increasing numbers requires increasing opportunities
Key findings of ADF Review The ADF Review found that the ADF’s talent pool was narrowing, while competition for workers had intensified. To enhance capability and operational effectiveness, the ADF Review found that the ADF must draw on a broader talent pool, of which women were a critical part. The ADF Review found that: There had only been a one percent increase in the recruitment of women… -
26 March 2014Book page
Chapter 7: Principle 4: Greater flexibility will strengthen the ADF
Key findings of Review The ADF Review found that flexibility is imperative for many Defence members, and that a lack of flexible work options – be that real or perceived – was acting as a serious impediment to retention. The ADF Review reported that in all three Services: There is an increased propensity for women to leave the ADF at points that coincide with a typical point where personnel … -
26 March 2014Book page
Chapter 8: Principle 5: Gendered harassment and violence ruins lives
Key findings of Review The ADF Review found that sexual misconduct – including sexual harassment and, on occasion, sexual assault – existed in the ADF, particularly in male dominated areas. It also found significant underreporting of sexually based incidents from victims because of fear of victimisation; concerns about negative impact on career progression; and personal trauma. The ADF… -
26 March 2014Book page
Appendix 1: ADFA Update
The Report on the Review into the Treatment of Women at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA Review) was tabled in the Australian Parliament on 3 November 2011. The Review into the Treatment of Women at the Australian Defence Force Academy: Audit Report (ADFA Audit) was tabled on 23 July 2013. In releasing the ADFA Audit, the Sex Discrimination Commissioner stated that she would give… -
26 March 2014Book page
Schedule A: Summary of ADFA’s list of 44 outstanding actions from the ADFA Audit Report
Provide outcomes of the Establishment Review. Promote awareness of the Review and changes introduced in response. Recommendation 3 – provide evidence of effectiveness of Communications Plan. Recommendation 3 – draft a statement on ADFA’s role and purpose and place on website. More consistent communication within the RIT. Recommendation 3 – making the unique value of the tri-Service… -
26 March 2014Book page
A Message from the Commissioner
It is now almost three years since the Review team embarked on an extensive examination of the treatment of women at the Australian Defence Force Academy and in the Australian Defence Force. Since then we have tabled three comprehensive and broad ranging Reports. The work has been detailed, challenging, but always productive. More importantly, the process has moved beyond the ‘why’ to the … -
26 March 2014Book page
Terms of Reference
The Review’s Terms of Reference were developed by the Australian Human Rights Commission after consultation with the ADF. The Terms of Reference requested the Review Panel, led by the Sex Discrimination Commissioner, to review, report and make recommendations on: the treatment of women at the Australian Defence Force Academy with a particular focus on the adequacy and appropriateness of… -
Rights and Freedoms
26 March 2014Opinion pieceFree speech is best medicine for the bigotry disease
THE proposed amendments to the Racial Discrimination Act provide the basis for correcting the legal limits of free speech, promoting pluralism, opposing reprehensible racism and highlighting the importance of responsibility. Arguably the most important change is assessing an 18C violation based on “the standard of an ordinary reasonable member of the Australian community”. Interpretations… -
Sex Discrimination
24 March 2014PublicationIt starts with us - The Leadership Shadow
Chief Executive Women and the Male Champions of Change share a common goal: to make a significant and sustainable change to the low levels of women in leadership in Australia. We are working together to identify approaches, put them into practice and disseminate those that are successful. -
Children's Rights
19 March 2014SubmissionEnhancing Online Safety for Children
The Australian Human Rights Commission welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Department of Communications as part of its public consultation into Enhancing Online Safety for Children, a key commitment made by the current government in the 2013 election. The Commission provides comments on the consultation paper, Enhancing Online Safety for Children, provided by the Department of… -
Education25 February 2014Publication
Human Rights Examples for the Australian Curriculum
Human Rights Examples for the Australian Curriculum (English, History, Geography, Science and Maths – Foundation to Year 10) -
Rights and Freedoms
24 February 2014Opinion piece
Why I’ll take the approach of a classical liberal to human rights
As Human Rights Commissioner I want to promote a culture of rights and responsibilities so that every Australian understands their rights and confidently stands up for them against government encroachment. Because human rights are a political construct, there are numerous ways that they can be approached. Each perspective weights the relative integrity of rights when they come into conflict… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
23 February 2014Opinion pieceWe can't 'outsource' our moral obligations to these people
Events on Manus Island have graphically and tragically brought to the attention of the Australian public the inappropriateness of the current arrangements for the regional processing of asylum seekers. I have been troubled by the loss of life and the injury that has occurred on Manus Island over this past week, even as we wait for further information about what exactly has occurred. I am… -
Complaint Information Service20 February 2014Webpage
Act Information Sheets
Explore a range of discrimination complaints made to the Commission related to sex, race, age, disability and discrimination in employment and occupation. -
Complaint Information Service20 February 2014Webpage
The Complaint Process
The complaint process is simple, free and flexible. The Commission is an independent third party that investigates complaints about discrimination and human rights breaches.