REWRITING THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE

LAW MANUALS

The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, today launched the revised Australian Defence Force Publication 06.1.1 Discipline Law Manual (DLM) Volumes 1 and 3.

Mr Snowdon said that the launch of the new Volumes of the DLM follows the significant recent reforms to the military discipline system.

“The DLM is the fundamental military discipline manual, relied on by commanders, members and legal officers to provide policy, practical and procedural guidance to our military discipline system,” the Minister said.

“The work undertaken by Defence to ensure the DLM provides clear, up-to-date and comprehensive information is a complementary part of the reforms to the ADF’s military discipline system.”

The reforms to the military discipline system will strengthen the protections afforded to individuals while enhancing the impartiality, rigour, transparency and timeliness of military discipline.

They have received significant support from Government and the ADF’s senior leadership and have resulted in a ‘world’s best’ system. 

The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, said that completion and promulgation of the revised DLM is a significant milestone in Defence’s ongoing commitment to implementing reforms to the military discipline system.

The manual, which includes relevant legislation and related documentation, also provides a guide to the Australian Military Court which was established in October 2007, and information relating to summary authority and discipline officer proceedings.

The release of the revised DLM Volumes 1 and 3 coincide with the commencement of the latest round of military discipline reforms introduced by the Defence Legislation Amendment Act 2008. DLM Volume 2, which addresses proceedings in the Australian Military Court, will be reissued in 2009.

Media contacts:

Kate Sieper (Warren Snowdon):                                        02 6277 7620 or 0488 484 689

GPCAPT Paul Cronan, Director Military Discipline Law:    02 6266 2622 or 0414 394 532

Defence Media Liaison:                                                     02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664