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

Chapter 9: Accommodation and Supervision – Recommendations 19-2184The RSOs were given training on the role of an RSO, ‘safer communities’ and mental health first aid,among other areas. 23When the RSOs took up their roles in March 2012 there was some disquiet about the initial scopeof the duties – particularly the requirements to be on duty most nights – which contrasted with whatthey believed was expected when they accepted their roles. 24 This disquiet was compounded the factthat the payment that RSOs were expecting was not forthcoming, as ADFA grappled with the policyimplications of paying RSOs.In late 2012, ADFA conducted an internal review of the RSO scheme. 25 That review did not find evidenceof concerning systemic issues, but it did view the scheme as one with ‘significant potential to improve inits second year of implementation.’ To this end, it recommended:• developing and extending the training given to RSOs• reviewing duty statements to clarify issues such as after-hours contact requirements• placing more emphasis on RSOs roles as mentors, and allowing them to be proactive withwelfare rather than reacting to incidents• having regular RSO meetings to discuss concerns, share experiences and increase learning• giving RSOs a second room for storage, and to be used as a meeting place for discussionswith undergraduates.The review was circulated among ADFA’s senior leadership and commended by the COMDT. Therecommended review of duty statements has been completed, and other recommendations remainunder consideration. In 2013 RSOs are expected to be on duty three nights per week where they are thesole RSO in a division, and five nights per week combined, when they are part of a duo. 26A call for volunteers for the 2013 RSO scheme was made in October 2012, and 15 applications werereceived. All were appointed as RSOs for 2013.Audit findingsADFA has established an RSO scheme, and is working to address outstanding deficiencies that itidentified in the first year of the scheme’s operation.The speed with which ADFA established the scheme, and the ongoing efforts it has made at improvingit, has been impressive. The RSO scheme is one of the most obvious and visible changes made at ADFAin the last year as a result of the Review, and in general it has been well received by undergraduates andstaff.However, two major issues threatened the viability of the scheme in its infancy: funding and attraction.ADFA spent much of 2012 trying to secure an acceptable (from a Defence policy point of view) source offunding to pay RSOs. It was required to organise an interim solution for 2012. In March 2013, the Headof People Capability intervened to organise a policy solution. 27 This resolution will address what wasbecoming a major issue in the eyes of many undergraduates.The second major issue facing the RSO scheme is attraction. ADFA has been unable to attract therequired number of applicants to staff the RSO scheme (let alone be selective about applicants) in 2012and 2013. In 2012 there were 11 initial applicants (seven male, four female) all of whom were given RSOroles. During the year, one male RSO was removed from his post on account of difficulties in balancingother commitments with RSO responsibilities. 28 For 2013 there were 15 RSO applicants (11 male, fourfemale) all of whom have been accepted. 29 Although this is an improvement on 2012, it remains belowthe requirement of 16 RSOs (and eight women) as outlined in the Recommendation. However the Auditagrees that the quality of people taking on the RSO role is more important than artificially meeting thenumber required.