In Canberra, Defence Minister Matt Keogh told reporters at the National Press Club that the federal government is launching an independent investigation into sexual assault within the Australian Defence Force. He warned that such abuse inflicts deep personal damage and erodes the army’s effectiveness, adding that the way cases have been handled in the past has shaken confidence in the ADF’s protective duties.
Keogh also revealed that talks are now underway to set the scope of this expert inquiry, which is expected to begin in mid‑2026. “There is no shying away from Defence still not getting this right,” he said of the force’s response to sexual violence. “Lots has been done but people, especially women, are still experiencing this behaviour.”
The decision to probe sexual misconduct comes after a landmark Royal Commission on Defence and Veteran Suicide concluded that 2,007 current or former members died by suicide between 1985 and 2021, citing widespread bullying and physical or sexual abuse as contributing factors. In addition to the inquiry, the commission called for mandatory training for senior leaders on handling misconduct and a revamped investigative process.
At the same time, Keogh confirmed that soldiers who commit sexual offences can now expect to be dismissed. Earlier this year, a Brisbane law firm filed a class‑action suit against the ADF, alleging entrenched sexual violence, harassment and discrimination across all service branches. In a first hearing in Sydney, more than 1,000 women who served between 2003 and 2025 joined the lawsuit within two days of its launch.
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