Recommendations
Recommendation 1
6.12 The committee recommends that the Australian
Government extend the activities of the Defence Abuse Response Taskforce to
support victims of abuse in Defence, including allowing new complainants to
make claims up to 30 June 2015.
Recommendation 2
6.21 The committee recommends that the Sexual Misconduct
Prevention and Response Office (SeMPRO) develop resources to clearly advise
persons considering contacting SeMPRO regarding options for the collection of
forensic evidence and support options for former members of Defence.
Recommendation 3
6.22 The committee recommends that the Australian
Government provide additional resources to SeMPRO to facilitate further
outreach activities and personal support to victims of sexual assault in
Defence.
Recommendation 4
6.27 The committee recommends that following the next
interim report of the Taskforce, the Minister for Defence table a formal
substantive response to the systemic issues identified in the DLA Piper Review.
Recommendation 5
6.29 The committee recommends the Australian Government
introduce amending legislation to remove the three year minimum service
requirement for eligibility for Non-Liability Health Care (NLHC) and to make NLHC
available to any person who has had completed any service.
Recommendation 6
6.33 The committee recommends that the Minister for
Veterans' Affairs direct the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) to commence
consultation with veterans' representative organisations and to report back on:
-
the legal and practical barriers there are to victims of abuse in
the ADF succeeding in establishing the facts necessary to access entitlements
to DVA benefits;
-
what Defence and DVA could do and what resources they will
require to gather and share information which could assist such individuals to
establish those facts to the satisfaction of DVA and tribunal decision-makers;
-
what can be done in liaison with veterans' groups, other
Australian Government agencies and community groups, and what resources will be
required to reach out to individuals affected by abuse who may be eligible for
DVA benefits – including individuals who have previously applied and been
rejected.
Recommendation 7
6.36 The committee recommends the Department of Veterans'
Affairs examine options to provide financial assistance to support a national,
sustainable community-based approach to assisting veterans who have suffered
abuse.
Recommendation 8
6.44 The committee recommends that the Taskforce and the
Australian Government assess the appropriateness of a range of responses to
abuse in Defence, in addition to determining whether a Royal Commission should
be established. The welfare of victims of abuse in Defence should be the
primary consideration in any decision made.
Recommendation 9
6.49 The committee recommends that no further parts of Volume
2 of the DLA Piper report should be released in summary or redacted form.
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