Advocacy update: Inquiry into the Defence Honours and Awards System
The Senate’s Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Reference’s Committee has established a new Inquiry into the integrity and efficacy of the Defence honours and awards system, with particular reference to:
- Experiences of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel progressing through the honours and awards system.
- The effect of awards and honours on maintaining morale within the ADF.
- Assurance of the integrity of awards to senior officers for conduct in the Afghanistan conflict.
- The effect of changes in criteria for some honours and awards from ‘in action’ to ‘in warlike operations’.
- The operation of the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal, including any potential improvements.
- Any potential improvements to the Defence honours and awards system; and
any related matters.
The inquiry has been established following numerous letters sent to politicians from veterans and serving personnel calling for changes to how military honours are bestowed and reviewed.
We have been invited to make a submission to this inquiry. It is our job to amplify the voices of the families of veterans and ensure that their voices, your voices are heard on issues that matter to you.
To that end I invite you to share your thoughts on the Defence Honours and Awards System. Your input is crucial to us. please take a few moments to complete this form by clicking here.
You will be able to read the submission we prepare on our website in the Advocacy area after we send it to the Senate Committee at the end of August 2024.
