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

Chapter 6: Equity and Diversity – Recommendations 6-10The Audit was also provided with a discussion paper on mentoring. It recommends consideration of athree day series of networking visits for female second year cadets, or an annual networking forum forall second year cadets, male and female. These options are further discussed under Recommendation17. Development of these programs could help ADFA meet the intent of Recommendation 10.ConclusionThe COMDT is clearly championing equity and diversity and is building strong support mechanisms toensure that the principles and practice of equity and diversity are demonstrated at ADFA. The COMDThas developed and disseminated a clear and unambiguous statement about diversity, inclusion andgender equality which identifies the organisational benefits of diversity. To date, however, there does notappear to be a well organised program of forums featuring female role models from within and beyondthe ADF which could further support these initiatives. Further progress in this area would be welcome.Amendments to training at ADFA have partially separated equity and diversity and complaintsprocedures. However, there is still a strong linkage between the positive values of equity and diversityand the punitive aspects of unacceptable behaviour and making complaints. The Audit acknowledgesthat this linkage is drawn and reinforced at the broader ADF organisational level but encourages ADFA todo more to promote the positive, not punitive aspects of equity and diversity, particularly as a core valueunderpinning ethical leadership.While the significant increase in the number of equity advisers is a welcome development, it appearsthat some undergraduates are still unwilling to access the EA Network. Any remaining barriers toaccess require further evaluation and response in order to further strengthen the EA Network’s advisorycapacity.The establishment of the SOSP Network is strongly supported by the Audit and the attempt to roll outthe SOSP Network to other Defence bases is welcomed. Ongoing evaluation of the SOSP Network isencouraged and SOSPs must be effectively linked with SeMPRO when it is established.1 CDRE B Kafer, ‘Commandant Australian Defence Force Academy Equity and Diversity Policy Statement,’ 1 July 2012, providedto the Audit by Dr N Miller, 28 September 2012.2 RIT, ‘Broderick Audit Summary Final 280912’, provided to the Audit by Dr N Miller, 28 September 2012; RIT, ‘Broderick Ph1Review Implementation Progress Spreadsheet’, provided to the Audit by Dr N Miller, 28 September 2012.3 Interview 20, Navy undergraduate male, 16 October 2012.4 ADFA, ‘Training Overview – Equity and Diversity: CLO 17: Apply E&D Principles’, provided to the Audit by Dr N Miller,28 September 2012; ADFA, ‘Brief on the Revised Equity and Diversity Network and Training Continuum within ADFA’, providedto the Audit by Dr N Miller, 28 September 2012.5 ADFA, ‘Training Overview – Equity and Diversity: CLO 17: Apply E&D Principles’, provided to the Audit by Dr N Miller,28 September 2012.6 ADFA, ‘Brief on the Revised Equity and Diversity Network and Training Continuum within ADFA’, provided to the Audit byDr N Miller, 28 September 2012.7 ADFA, ‘Training Overview – Equity and Diversity: CLO 17: Apply E&D Principles’, provided to the Audit by Dr N Miller,28 September 2012; ADFA, ‘Brief on the Revised Equity and Diversity Network and Training Continuum within ADFA’, providedto the Audit by Dr N Miller, 28 September 2012.8 ADFA, ‘Training Overview – Equity and Diversity: CLO 17: Apply E&D Principles’, provided to the Audit by Dr N Miller,28 September 2012.9 Department of Defence, ‘Workplace Behaviour, Management of Workplace Conflicts and Disputes and Unacceptable Behaviour’,Version 3 (2012). At http://www.defence.gov.au/fr/publications/WorkplaceBehaviour_2803web_.pdf (viewed 13 March 2013).10 RIT, ‘Broderick Audit Summary Final 280912’, provided to the Audit by Dr N Miller on 28 September 2012.11 ADFA, ‘Training Overview – Equity and Diversity: CLO 17: Apply E&D Principles’, provided to the Audit by Dr N Miller,28 September 2012.44