2 Sept 2016: Commonwealth Ombudsman new Defence abuse reporting function

Media release – Defence Force Ombudsman role will expand from 1 December 2016

The Australian Government announced today that the role of the Defence Force Ombudsman (DFO) will expand to provide an independent Defence abuse reporting function.

Commonwealth Ombudsman Colin Neave AM welcomed the announcement that the DFO, which is part of the Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman, will broaden its role.

“I welcome this opportunity for my office to take on this important work, which will broaden the DFO’s existing oversight function and provide a safe and sensitive framework within which people can report abuse,” Mr Neave said.

Under legislation, the Commonwealth Ombudsman is also the Defence Force Ombudsman. The Ombudsman investigates complaints about the Australian Defence Force (ADF) relating to matters of administration arising from present or past service.

The expanded DFO function will take effect from 1 December 2016.

Further information will be available on the Commonwealth Ombudsman website in due course.

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