Review into the treatment of women at the Australian Defence Force ...

Chapter 6: Equity and Diversity – Recommendations 6-10On the whole, as noted in the ADFA Report, the training largely reflects the Defence Instruction DI(G)PERS 35-3: Management and reporting on unacceptable behaviour, which focuses on the impact ofunacceptable behaviour, definitions, making a complaint and options for resolution. 14Comments from an ADFA equity and diversity adviser suggest an enduring perception of the connectionbetween complaints and equity and diversity:I realised equity and diversity is a very soft fuzzy name that I think has lots of negativeconnotations attached to it. It dawned on me it’s all about conflict resolution and that’s howI frame it to other people. 15In consultations with undergraduates, the Audit heard a similar sentiment:We still joke about the fact that I E&D’d my [superior], that kind of thing. So yes, there’s certainlysome stigma attached to it. 16[equity and diversity and complaints] are very definitely [tied] together. 17As discussed below in Recommendation 8, equity and diversity is connected to complaints andunacceptable behaviour in key Defence documents. 18 The rebranding of equity and diversity trainingas training in Workplace Behaviours may better separate equity and diversity and complaints traininghowever, at this stage the Audit cannot make a definitive assessment. 19Material provided to the Audit notes that this Recommendation has been implemented. The Auditconsiders that further work is required, and encourages ADFA to continue to work towards separatingthe punitive processes of complaints from the positive value of equity and diversity.Recommendation 8: ADFA teach equity and diversity principles ascore values underpinning ethical leadership.Intent of RecommendationToday’s AFDA undergraduates are tomorrow’s ADF leadership. Embedding equity and diversity as acore principle underpinning ethical leadership at ADFA is a vehicle for embedding equity and diversityin ethical leadership across the ADF.Implementation actionsThe Audit has been provided with a number of documents which guide behaviour in this area. It hasalso been advised of reforms made to the training program to include aspects of ethical reflection.Documents provided include:• Defence Instruction DI(G) PERS 35-3: Management and reporting on unacceptable behaviour• ADFA’s new equity and diversity training continuum• Various equity and diversity lesson and module plans• ADFA leadership challenge exercises for years one, two and three.38