Summary

Amends the:

to: clarify the character and status of service convictions for Commonwealth purposes; remove provisions in respect of the trial of offences under the law prior to the Act; create services offences of ‘assault occasioning actual bodily harm’ and ‘unauthorised use of a Commonwealth credit card’; clarify the elements of the service offence of ‘commanding or ordering a service offence to be committed’; replace the power to issue recognisance release orders with a system of fixing non-parole periods; replace dollar amounts as maximum fines with a penalty units system; and make technical amendments; and to recognise the office of the Director of Defence Counsel Services; and to extend the appointment, remuneration and entitlement arrangements of the current Chief Judge Advocate and the full-time Judge Advocate.