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

ConclusionThere has been initial progress on the recommendations relating to ADFA’s structure and staffing butthere is inertia, particularly in relation to Recommendation 12. Change is slow and time has been lost.There is still a great deal of variability amongst the staff posted to ADFA and while there have been somepositive moves to enhance the COMDT’s role in staff selection, this opportunity was largely lost for the2013 intake as the COMDT was only able to meet with staff after the posting decision was made. Thereis resistance from the Services to delegate authority to the COMDT to enhance his role in removingunderperforming cadets and even more resistance in relation to staff. There is no evidence that thisprocess has been simplified.The Audit strongly advocates that each Service delegate the decision making authority for staff selectionand for the removal of underperforming undergraduates and staff to the COMDT ADFA.There have been positive changes to staff induction and training to better prepare staff for the ADFAenvironment, but little evidence of ongoing staff learning groups. Avenues for performance feedbackhave been enhanced but there is no evidence of change to the generic Service performance appraisaldocuments to date.1 Interview 1, CDRE B.J Kafer, 12 September 2012.2 On 6 November 2012 the Audit requested any minutes or outcomes of the COSC meetings to identify what, if any decisions hadbeen made. On 3 December 2012 an email was received that states that no minutes are kept in accordance with the BusinessRules for COSC (Dr N Miller, email to the Audit, 3 December 2012). According to these Business Rules, however, outcomes ofthe meeting will be distributed, that clearly stipulate decisions made during COSC (COSC Business Rules, Points 12, 13 and15). A further email was sent on 13 December 2012 by the Audit requesting the outcomes of the COSC meetings. These werereceived on 12 February 2013 (Dr N Miller, email to the Audit, 12 February 2013).3 Office of the Vice Chief of the Defence Force, ‘Minute VCDF/OUT/2012/79, Action Emanating from the Review into theTreatment of Women at ADFA (‘Broderick Review’ Phase One) – Recommendation 12’, 17 March 2012, provided to the Audit byDr N Miller, 28 September 2012.4 Interview 47, DG P-AF, B Rodgers, 21 November 2012.5 Dr N Miller, email to the Audit ‘RFI 48-COMDT ADFA-CMA Meeting’, 3 December 2012.6 S Longbottom, email to the Audit, 30 November 2012.7 ‘Revised ADFA Divisional Officer Duty Statement and Selection Criteria’, provided to the Audit by Dr N Miller, 12 February 2013;Dr N Miller, email to the Audit, 12 February 2013.8 Interview 32, Army staff male, 16 October 2012.9 Focus group U1, Mixed Service 2nd year undergraduate male and female, 17 October 2012.10 Focus group U1, Mixed Service 2nd year undergraduate male and female, 17 October 201211 Focus group U8, Mixed Service undergraduate women, 18 October 2012.12 Interview 1, CDRE BJ Kafer, 12 September 2012.13 Interview 1, CDRE BJ Kafer, 12 September 2012.14 Interview 48, A/DG CM-Army W Stothart, 21 November 2012.15 Royal Australian Navy, Navy People Career Management Agency, ‘Minute, Selection of Navy Divisional Officer Positions’,R11713852, 13 July 2012 stresses the importance of training establishment positions and that time there will be rewarded:“DOS in training establishments have an important role in the professional and personal development of our future officersand sailors. They need to be role models who will successfully embody and impart the discipline, decorum and valueswe seek in our men and women. Accordingly, HNPAR advocates the DO role as an important component of Navy juniorofficer development and as such, good performance will be rewarded. It is to be reserved for high calibre LEUTs who havedemonstrated commitment to their own standards, as well as that of their subordinates.”16 Interview 46, DG-Navy, P Leavy, 21 November 2012.17 Interview 47, DG P-AF, B Rodgers, 21 November 2012.18 Interview 1, CDRE BJ Kafer, 12 September 2012.19 Interview 46, DG-Navy, P Leavy, 21 November 2012. In further correspondence between the Audit and P Leavy on10 May 2013, P Leavy commented that ‘there is certainly a high priority on ADFA and other training related postings.’20 Interview 48, A/DG CM-Army W Stothart, 21 November 2012.21 With the exception that RAN Minute R11713852 (Royal Australian Navy, Navy People Career Management Agency, ‘Minute,Selection of Navy Divisional Officer Positions’, R11713852, 13 July 2012) opens up the possibility of the Training Authorityendorsing applicants prior to NPCMA taking posting action.22 Interview 47, DG P-AF, B Rodgers, 21 November 2012.Audit Report: Review into the Treatment of Women at the Australian Defence Force Academy • 2013 • 63