On 18 September, the Department of Defence became aware that the report into the 20-year Review into the Inspector General of the Australian Defence Force had been published on the website of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans Suicide. Defence understands the report has since been removed.
The report was provided to the Royal Commission under compulsory notice, as part of its three-year inquiry into Defence and Veterans Suicide. Royal Commissions are independent of Government and determine how they conduct their inquiries, including what information and documents they will seek, and how that information will be used.
The Department of Defence did not request the Royal Commission to take down the report from its website, nor did any portfolio Minister or their staff convey such a request to the Department.
Defence understands that the decision to remove the report from the Royal Commission's website was made by the Royal Commission.
