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

Chapter 8: Midshipmen and Cadets are Young People and Future Leaders – Recommendations 16-18Intent of RecommendationUndergraduates arrive at ADFA with differing levels of maturity, often without experience of living awayfrom home. This presents substantial risk factors for ADFA. It was considered that a one year immersionin the chosen Service, similar to the Navy NOYO program, would yield more mature undergraduateswhich may in turn reduce the prevalence of unacceptable behaviour. In recognition that men and womensometimes have different life courses, the Review also recommended that different entry points beconsidered which could provide a range of more flexible options for entry to ADFA.Implementation actionThe RIT facilitated a comprehensive feasibility study to develop and assess a range of different optionsfor each of the Services. 6The feasibility study took a two phase approach. The first phase ‘focused on the common issues thateach Service needed to address to ensure the practicality and financial viability of conducting SingleService Training and Work Placement (SST&WP).’ 7 This involved collecting information in respect of theresources that would be required, such as infrastructure, financial and staffing. 8The second phase ‘focused on options for SST&WP developed by each Service’. Pursuant to therelevant Minute ‘each Service appointed officers to investigate and report on the possibilities andmeans of meeting the Recommendation’. 9 As part of the process, UNSW was consulted as the optionsdeveloped would have required UNSW to compress the current degree structure and therefore tochange the existing contract with ADFA for the provision of education. 10For each Service, a preferred option was selected by the member delegated 11 to conduct the study forthat Service and a recommendation was made to the relevant Service Chief. In summary, as stated inthe feasibility study, the program was considered to be ‘possible and could be conducted’ however, ‘theService Chiefs did not consider the initiative to be feasible’. 12Parts b) and c) of the Recommendation were also considered, but ultimately dismissed by the Servicesin the feasibility study. During consultation between the Audit and the RIT it was suggested that furtherwork was required for part c). Further examination is now being undertaken and preliminary options arebeing developed. 13Audit findingsRecommendation 16 a)It is apparent from documents provided and from discussions with ADFA and other personnel thatsignificant effort was invested in developing the feasibility study. The work undertaken has beenextensive, with the feasibility study spanning a number of months. 14 The Audit acknowledges thatwhile each Service decided not to implement any of the proposed options, the requirement of theRecommendation was for single Service options to be explored.The options presented in the study have been addressed, with multiple options developed and closelyanalysed for each Service. However the Audit notes that the feasibility study contains significantdiscussion on the barriers to implementation. 15In light of the decisions by each of the Service Chiefs not to implement a program, the Audit’s primaryconcern is whether the intent of the Recommendation can be met through the introduction of othermeasures. 1668