Defence Force Discipline Amendment (RCDVS Implementation and Related Measures No. 1) Bill 2026

Senator COLLINS (New South Wales—Deputy Opposition Whip in the Senate) (10:53): I rise to speak on the Defence Force Discipline Amendment (RCDVS Implementation and Related Measures No. 1) Bill 2026. I state from the outset that the opposition will support this bill. I want to thank Senator Roberts for bringing those personal letters, personal stories, to the fore to remind us of why it is so important to support this bill today.

The coalition recognise the importance of reform in this area. We took to the last election a promise, a commitment, to support reform and to support the recommendations of the royal commission into veteran suicide. We have here in this chamber, in this parliament, an obligation to support the men and women—and their families—who put their lives on the line, are committed to putting their lives on the line and make sacrifices and to do all we can to support them during their service and after their service.

We have a solemn responsibility to treat them with dignity, respect and fairness, and this bill seeks to do that. After the harrowing time that the veteran and Defence community has had this year—the consistent slaps in the face—I want to thank the Labor government for finally bringing something to this chamber that everybody can get behind. This bill seeks to implement several recommendations from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, which was established by the coalition in July of 2021.

We established it because we wanted to understand why so many serving personnel and veteran personnel were, sadly, taking their own lives. We wanted to identify the reforms that would address that problem. The royal commission identified systemic shortcomings and a need for greater accountability, and it was clear that we needed meaningful reform.

It was clear that we need to do better by those who defend our nation, our families and our way of life. The core of this bill seeks to reduce harm and suicide risk for Defence members involved in military justice processes. Our military justice system has a critical role in maintaining discipline in the Defence Force.

Critically, purposefully, it is separate from the civilian justice system. But, when disciplinary matters are not resolved efficiently, fairly or transparently, there can be very serious consequences for morale. There can be uncertainty in the system and strain on personnel, and confidence in the system can crash.

Relationships within the units can become strained. This is what this bill is trying to address. The coalition supports the principle that the military justice system should be capable of responding appropriately and compassionately to mental health issues while also maintaining procedural fairness and good order and discipline.

The royal commission identified inefficiencies in the existing framework, and there needs to be a simplification of the processes. I want to foreshadow a couple of concerns that I have with the bill, noting that we do support it. I want to foreshadow that I will be submitting some amendments today in relation to schedule 5, which Senator Roberts just raised and which is about the extra powers for the Minister for Defence to direct the Director of Military Prosecutions in matters relating to military prosecutions.

My concern is that there is not sufficient oversight, transparency or safeguards in that particular provision, which was not a recommendation of the royal commission, to ensure that the minister uses those powers fairly, judiciously and without political interference. So I foreshadow that I will be moving some amendments in relation to that particular schedule.

I also have concerns about the broadening of the definition of 'investigating officer' so that a civilian can be appointed to oversee investigations in the military justice system. My understanding is that that would be best placed just in relation to sexual offences—which the royal commission was, in large part, focused on. I will be watching closely and maintaining scrutiny of how this government implements that particular schedule in this bill, because it is important to maintain separation between the civilian justice system and the military justice system.

It was purposefully designed in that way. But, overall, we do recognise the importance of trying to modernise the military justice system and make it efficient, fair and compassionate to our serving members. The coalition will continue to scrutinise the implementation of these reforms closely.

We will engage constructively with the government and stakeholders—the defence community and the veteran community. We will monitor the operation of this legislation. The most important thing not just for the coalition but for everybody in this chamber and the other house is to make sure that we reform the system.

We do not want to see one more death by suicide in our defence community or veteran community because the system works against them. That is our obligation here, and we will always stand by that. I commend the bill.