Parliament Reports

Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Military Compensation Review and Other Measures) Bill 2013 [Provisions]

On 21 March 2013, the Senate referred the Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Military Compensation Review and Other Measures) Bill 2013 for inquiry and report.

Report of the review of allegations of sexual and other abuse in Defence, conducted by DLA Piper, and the response of the Government to the report

The Senate referred this matter to the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committees for inquiry and report.  The committee inquired into the report of the review of allegations of sexual and other abuse in Defence, conducted by DLA Piper, and the response of the Government to the report and related matters.

Inquiry into the Care of ADF Personnel Wounded and Injured on Operations

On 24 June 2013, the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade tabled its report on the inquiry into the care of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel wounded and injured on military operations. Central to the Committee’s inquiry is the role of the departments of Defence and Veterans’ Affairs in supporting Australia’s wounded and injured.

Inquiry into an equity and diversity health check in the Royal Australian Navy—HMAS Success

By and large, the terms of reference deal with: allegations of unacceptable behaviour by a number of sailors onboard HMAS Success; an equity and diversity health check of the ship; the subsequent removal of three senior sailors from the ship; and the many administrative and disciplinary investigations that followed.

Inquiry into the Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits Amendment (Fair Indexation) Bill

On 24 March 2011, the Senate agreed ... to refer the bill, together with the amendments ... and proposed mechanisms for funding the bill, to the Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee for inquiry and report.

Inquiry into RAAF F-111 Deseal-Reseal workers and their families

On Thursday 25 June 2009, the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade tabled its report on the inquiry into RAAF F-111 Deseal/Reseal workers and their families entitled Sealing a just outcome: Report from the Inquiry into RAAF F-111 Deseal/Reseal workers and their families.

Inquiry into Australia's involvement in peacekeeping operations

The committee's terms of reference asked it to inquire into the changing nature of Australia's involvement in peacekeeping operations and the implications for a range of government departments and agencies likely to be called on to assist a peacekeeping operation. In specifically nominating a broad range of agencies, the terms of reference indicated that the committee was to consider operations extending beyond the traditional 'peacekeeping' model to include today's complex multidimensional missions.

Inquiry into the provisions of the Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests (Treatment) Bill 2006; and, the Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests (Treatment) (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill

Both Bills form a package designed to provide new health care entitlements for eligible Australian participants in the British nuclear tests. The Australian Participants in Nuclear Tests (Treatment) Bill 2006 provides for non liability cancer testing and treatment for eligible participants. The second bill provides consequential amendments.

Inquiry into the duties of Australian personnel in Iraq

The committee recommends that the ADF review its procedures for instructing personnel about the various codes of conduct, ADF's instructions or Concepts of Operations governing the conduct of Australian personnel while engaged in overseas operations especially where Australian personnel are deployed with third country operations. All Australian personnel must be made aware of their obligations with regard to human rights issues which includes their obligation to report any activity that seems illegal.

Inquiry into matters relating to the Gallipoli Peninsula

This report concerns recent work to repair roads and carparks on the Gallipoli Peninsula in western Turkey at the site of the historic Allied campaign in 1915. It is alleged that in late February 2005, Turkish authorities' widening of parts of the coastal road at ANZAC Cove and the construction of two car parks uncovered fragments of human bone and damaged the military heritage of the site.

Current health preparation arrangements for the deployment of Australian Defence Forces overseas

The terms of reference require that the Committee consider several issues, including the adequacy of administrative arrangements for deployment and of the management of records, the links between ADF and DVA, and the appropriateness of the research programs of both.

Inquiry into the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Bill 2003 and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2003

On 4 December 2003, the Senate referred the provisions of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Bill 2003 and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2003 to the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee for inquiry and report.

Inquiry into aspects of the Veterans' Entitlement Act 1986 and the Military Compensation Scheme (MCRS)

The inquiry focused on the dual eligibility arrangements and the offsetting calculations applied to veterans and ex-service personnel who receive a pension as well as a benefit by way of a lump sum, under the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 and the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988.  The aim of the inquiry was to examine the perceived anomalies in the current arrangements.

Inquiry into the administrative review within the area of veteran and military compensation and income support

The purpose of this report is to assess the current review structure and process for veteran and military compensation cases, and analyse a range of options for streamlining the review hierarchy and improving the review system's administration.

Recruitment and Retention of ADF Personnel

The terms of reference for this inquiry indicated that the Committee was to examine current recruitment and retention strategies in the ADF. In order to develop an understanding of these strategies, the Committee adopted an approach influenced by the following themes: the reasons people enlist in the ADF; the unique nature of military service; the 'psychological contract'; and linkages between recruitment and retention strategies.

From Phantom to Force: Towards a More Efficient and Effective Army

This report into the Army is about achieving improved capability for the future. The report recommends an effective doubling of the Army's capability to respond to short warning contingencies by the creation of four capable and ready brigades, and increasing the Army's ability to respond to more significant threats by a force expansion capability 30 per cent greater than the current force.

Sexual Harassment in the Australian Defence Force

On 29 September 1993, the Senate referred a detailed set of Terms of Reference to the Senate Standing Committee concerning the nature and incidence of sexual harassment or sexual assault and the handling of such complaints in the Royal Australian Navy and other armed forces.

‘To the last man’—Australia’s entry to war in 1914

On 31 July 1914, the Opposition Leader Andrew Fisher (ALP) famously declared that ‘should the worst happen, after everything has been done that honour will permit, Australians will stand beside the mother country to help and defend her to our last man and our last shilling’.

This Research Paper considers the context of Fisher’s declaration by briefly outlining the steps leading to the outbreak of the war and the costs to Australia by the end of hostilities. It then examines two particular issues of relevance in the parliamentary environment: the extent of an independent Australian foreign policy and why Britain’s declaration of war was considered to automatically include Australia, and second, the role of the parliament in committing Australia to war.

Major superannuation and retirement income changes in Australia: a chronology

The purpose of this chronology of key events is to provide an historical context with which to understand the evolution of superannuation and retirement income policy in Australia. The chronology focuses on key events in the development of superannuation and retirement income policy including: major milestones and changes relating to the Age Pension; the development and implementation of mandatory and voluntary retirement income arrangements; and the development of, and changes to, taxation arrangements applying to superannuation generally.

Social security payments for the aged, people with disabilities and carers 1901 to 2010

This is one of a series of chronologies dealing with the history of Social Security Payments. This paper traces the history of a number of payments for aged people, people with disabilities and carers.

This paper is not a definitive treatment of the history of social security in Australia. It is a reference tool for those needing to locate specific changes quickly and place them in their chronological context.

Toward national workplace safety and workers compensation systems: a chronology

Includes a table providing a timeline of Key Workplace Safety Initiatives and Legislation.

Australia’s military involvement in Afghanistan since 2001: a chronology

This chronology aims to provide a comprehensive view of Australia’s military commitment in Afghanistan—including, where possible, the individual ADF units deployed as part of Operation Slipper.

Chronology of superannuation and retirement income in Australia

The chronology notes some of the significant dates in the development of the current retirement income system.

Social Security payments for people caring for children, 1912-2008: a chronology

This is one of a series of chronologies dealing with the history of Social Security Payments. This paper traces the history of a number of payments for children and child carers. Payments for sole parents are included in this document.

This paper provides a short history of the development of these payments and a chronology of changes to each payment from their introduction to the present day.

Retrospective awards to service personnel for gallantry and bravery

This background note outlines the current requirements for the timing of nominations for awards for gallantry, distinguished service and for bravery, and summarises the principles applied in previous approaches to considering retrospective awards for the Vietnam War.

Social inclusion and social citizenship towards a truly inclusive society

This research paper seeks to provide a critical analysis of social inclusion as a concept while, at the same time, extracting from it those elements that are likely to provide most value in developing a framework for making social policy.

Military superannuation myths and reality

Military superannuation arrangements have been subject to extensive changes. This paper presents background information on past events and current arrangements for any discussions following the recent release of the report of the review of military superannuation.

Social Security Payments for the Unemployed, the Sick and those in Special Circumstances, 1942 to 2006

This is one of a series of chronologies dealing with the history of Social Security Payments. This paper traces the history of unemployment, sickness and special benefits to able bodied work force aged people.  Payments for widowed people are included in this document. A brief history is provided to put the various payments into a broader context.

Workplace death and serious injury: a snapshot of legislative developments in Australia and overseas

Should criminal laws in Australia be amended to allow for industrial manslaughter offences? This Research Brief discusses legislative developments in various Australian states and territories, and comparative examples from the United Kingdom and Canada.

Military Conscription: Issues for Australia

This paper provides some background on decisions taken about the size of the ADF over the last two decades, and addresses issues relevant to the use of compulsory military service.

The Challenge of Military Service: Defence Personnel Conditions in a Changing Social Context

This paper provides a survey of conditions of service in the Regular component of the Australian Defence Force. Generally the aim is not to analyse issues and policies but to provide basic information on a variety of personnel matters which are often complex, hopefully equipping the reader with a context for issues that may arise.