Soldiers Guilty of Sexual Misconduct to Be Expelled Under New Reform

Service medals are displayed during an ANZAC Day parade in Sydney, Australia on April 25, 2022. Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

The federal government is set to introduce mandatory expulsions for military personnel convicted of sexual offences, following key recommendations from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

The reform is one of the 122 recommendations made by the Commission in September this year.

The government had agreed in principle to 104 recommendations, noting 17 for further consideration, while one recommendation is not supported in part.

On Dec. 2, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced his government’s next moves.

“Lest we forget is Australia’s most solemn promise, a promise to remember the fallen, to honour their sacrifice and care for their loved ones left behind … We owe them more than sentiment,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

An Independent Oversight Body

The government has announced an independent statutory entity to be set up by September 2025 to oversee the implementation of the reforms. An interim head will be appointed to lay the groundwork.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) will also co-design a new “well-being” agency for the veteran community to provide tailored services.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the body was supposed to be established next year.

“But we’re going beyond the recommendation of the Royal Commission and establishing this body right now,” Marles said.

Expulsion for Those Convicted of Sexual Misconduct

Among the 104 recommendations immediately accepted is a policy mandating the discharge of Australian Defence Force (ADF) members convicted of sexual or related offences.

This includes harassment and intimate image abuse, and the new policy will take charge whether a conviction is recorded in the military justice system or civilian courts.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh hinted at a possible inquiry to explore broader cultural and systemic issues raised by the Royal Commission that dedicated an entire section in its report to sexual misconduct in the military.

Prime Minister Albanese also acknowledged the seriousness of the issue.

“We now have clear direction from the Royal Commission’s findings,” he said.

Emotional Intelligence to Be Key Feature of Leadership

Keogh emphasised said “emotional intelligence” would be embedded as a criterion for promoting Defence Force leaders.

Keogh said positions were “people” focused, and required leaders to support them through family tragedies, challenges at home, and the pressures of deployment.

Deputy PM Marles echoed this, rejecting that Defence work is devoid of emotion.

“Our service personnel are humans, and emotions are part of all that we do,” Marles said.

Veterans Compensation Policy to Remain Unchanged

Labor declined Recommendation 90 for equal compensation payments for all types of injuries, regardless of service type

“The service differential is a longstanding feature of Australia’s support for veterans,” Albanese explained.

He reaffirmed that all veterans can access assistance for conditions linked to service through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Opposition Leader Calls for Better Support

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton criticised the Australian Defence Force and Department of Veterans Affairs, stating that “despite the best of intent,” both institutions have “let people down.”

“I thank all of those who have been involved in providing evidence to the Royal Commission,” Dutton said during Question Time in Parliament soon after the report was tabled.

“We must do better into the future and provide support for those who serve us with great dignity.”

Veteran Suicide on the Rise

Established in 2021, the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide aimed to address the disproportionately high suicide rates among defence and veteran communities.

The Commission found earlier this year that 2,007 serving or former defence personnel died via suicide between 1985 and 2021, averaging three deaths every fortnight over the past decade.

The Commission warned these figures likely understated the true scale of the crisis.

Albanese called the Royal Commission’s findings “heartbreaking,” urging Australians to reach out for support.

“And I just want to reiterate that if people need assistance on a day like today, they should reach out.”