Summons Powers for the Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner
Defence Legislation Amendment (RCDVS Implementation and Related Measures No. 2) Bill 2026
1st House
2nd House
Law
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner can summon people to give evidence at special inquiries
The Defence Force cannot accept people convicted of serious violent or sexual offences; the Chief of the Defence Force can also block people who are unsuitable or a security risk
Service ends automatically for any member sentenced to imprisonment for a crime under Australian law
The Chief of the Defence Force can fire members who are convicted of crimes; this also applies to people who are not fit and proper to serve
Entrusted persons can use personal information about ADF members for health and wellbeing research; they must de-identify personal data before disclosing it
Defence health system workers are immune from civil lawsuits for damages if they handle health information in good faith
Commonwealth officers face 2 years in prison for leaking documents obtained during quality assurance activities
The Minister can decide what ADF member information must be shared with specific entities to support health and safety outcomes