Military Justice Bills Passed Through Parliament

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14th September 2009, 10:04pm - Views: 700





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SENATOR JOHN FAULKNER

Minister for Defence




Monday, 14 September 2009

027/2009


MILITARY JUSTICE BILLS PASSED THROUGH PARLIAMENT


The Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, announced that Parliament

today passed legislation that will give effect to an interim military justice

system, following the High Court decision handed down on 26 August 2009 in

Lane v Morrison.


That decision declared the provisions establishing the Australian Military Court

in the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982, to be invalid.


“It is critical that the ADF has a functioning military discipline system,” Senator

Faulkner said.


“This interim system provides that, by reintroducing the former system of trials

by court martial and Defence Force magistrates.”


The interim military justice system has a number of safeguards within it to

ensure that ADF members are treated fairly.


A second Bill, dealing with past Australian Military Court sentences and

orders, was also passed by the House of Representatives today.


The Government is now preparing a permanent judicial solution in which

serious service offences will be tried by a court which meets the requirements

of Chapter III of the Constitution.


“The move to a Chapter III court will be considered in close consultation with

the Attorney-General,” Senator Faulkner said.



Media contacts:

Colin Campbell (John Faulkner):

02 6277 7800 or 0407 787 181

Defence Media Liaison:

02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664






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