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

Senator McALLISTER (New South Wales—Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) (13:00): I'll commence by tabling an addendum to the explanatory memorandum relating to the Defence Force Discipline Amendment (RCDVS Implementation and Related Measures No. 1) Bill 2026. This addendum responds to matters raised by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights.

I would also like to thank senators for their contribution to bill No. 1. This bill continues the Albanese Labor government's work to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. This bill implements the royal commission's recommendations related to military justice and further seeks to reform the military discipline system, achieving the broader intent of reducing harm to victims and offenders engaged with the military discipline system.

Specifically, the bill amends the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 to modernise, streamline and enhance fairness throughout the military justice system. The bill also enhances options to address mental health conditions within the military discipline system, introducing treatment mechanisms and diversionary measures for personnel facing prosecution before Courts Martial and Defence Force Magistrate proceedings.

Mechanisms in this bill create a mandatory disclosure of service conviction records for personnel convicted of sexual and related offences, including stalking and intimate image abuse. These changes will offer better protections for victims-survivors, especially those subject to sexual and violent offending. We heard from the royal commission that we must reform the military justice system to strengthen workplace protections during sexual misconduct investigations while reducing stigma and barriers to help seeking.

This bill directly addresses those concerns. The government is prioritising reform activities related to the safety of defence personnel and to military sexual violence. There is no place in Defence for sexual violence, and this bill makes our expectations very clear.

In conclusion, this bill will directly implement five recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, establish the Defence Mental Health Tribunal and enhance procedural fairness in the military justice system. I want to thank our serving personnel, veterans, their families and ex-service organisations who continue to engage with us while we undertake reform.

Question agreed to. Bill read a second time.