Thank you to all of those who provided their views on the Defence Honours and Awards System. We have now prepared a submission to the Senate committee based on what you told us. In summary the consultation highlighted the following issues which feature in our submission:
- Issues with integrity – The Defence Honours and Awards System (DHAS) is perceived as lacking integrity. Respondents viewed the system as one that provides “medals to mates,” lacks transparency and objectivity, and does not reflect the expectations of the Australian community.
- Issues with the allocations of awards – inequities in the distribution of honours and awards was raised numerous times with an assertion that there was a disproportionate number being given to senior officers, while non-commissioned officers and other ranks performing “extraordinary acts or exemplary service” are often overlooked.
- Issues regarding conflicts of interest – there are perceptions of conflicts of interest within the system, as it is insulated from the broader Australian Honours and Awards system. The lack of independent oversight and the ability of those within the chain of command to affect nominations are seen as problematic.
- The need for recognising sacrifices of veterans and their families – respondents emphasised the need for formal recognition of the service and sacrifices of veterans and their families, particularly those who have been wounded, injured, or killed in service.
The submission which you can read here recommends:
- Including more external involvement or oversight.
- Ensuring greater diversity on the committees or groups that review award nominations.
- Implement a strong conflicts and related party policy that is monitored and publicly reported showing the relationships between those nominating and making decisions (if any).
- Increase transparency within the award nominations and decision-making processes to provide greater objective confidence in the system.
- Add limits to the numbers of honours and awards that can be given to those with and without rank on an annual basis.
- Recognise the service and sacrifices of veterans and their families wounded, injured or killed in or as a result of their service to Australia ought to be formally recognised either by the Australian Honours and Awards system or the Defence Honours and Awards System.
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