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Defence sexual violence survivors ungagged for inquiry
The waiver applies only to the inquiry, while the government keeps confidentiality over settlement details and third-party obligations, officials said.
- Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh confirmed the government will not enforce non-disclosure agreements for Australian Defence Force members wishing to discuss sexual violence at an upcoming inquiry.
- The decision follows a letter last month from the Human Rights Law Centre urging amnesty for survivors, with the inquiry itself recommended by the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
- Former servicewoman Julia Delaforce, bound by an NDA for 15 years, called the waiver an "enormous step," having campaigned for a permanent ban after her own settlement experience.
- Regina Featherstone of the Human Rights Law Centre stated "the era of cover-up and silencing women must end," though the government retains confidentiality over financial settlement details.
- The inquiry, due later in 2026, will scrutinize the military justice system and barriers to civilian investigations, while Defence now uses a "restorative engagement" process for new sexual violence matters.
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Total News Sources11
Leaning Left7Leaning Right1Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution70% Left
Bias Distribution
- 70% of the sources lean Left
70% Left
L 70%
C 20%
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