The Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force (IGADF), Mr James Gaynor CSC, has concluded his office’s inquiry into the weaponisation of the military justice system.
The Inquiry examined allegations and perceptions that the military justice system has been, or has the potential to be, weaponised or abused, considered the extent of any such abuse, and identified any features of the military justice system that may allow for abuse. The Inquiry also evaluated the protective factors that already exist to prevent weaponisation.
The Inquiry found that while weaponisation of the military justice system is not widespread, it can and does occur at multiple levels of the ADF. The Inquiry made 20 recommendations for a more effective, trusted and fairer military justice system.
The full Inquiry Report can be accessed here.
Advisory Panel
An Advisory Panel of 4 eminent Australians assisted the Inquiry. The Advisory Panel provided expert guidance, strategic advice and independent oversight to ensure the Inquiry’s objectives, as set out in the Directions, are met. The Advisory Panel members were:
- Her Honour Sylvia Emmett AM RAN (Retd)
- Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM
- Doctor Nikki Jamieson
- Warrant Officer Janet Brennan
Biographies of the Advisory Panel can be found here.
Submissions to the Inquiry
The Inquiry was open to public submissions from 17 March to 22 June 2025. The Inquiry received 362 submissions from current and former ADF members, families and members of the public.
If you made a submission to the Inquiry, you are protected under the Section 31 of the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force Regulation 2016. It is an offence to prevent or dissuade someone from providing information to the Inquiry or to victimise, penalise or prejudice someone from giving information to the Inquiry.
There is a Direction Limiting Disclosure of some classes of Inquiry information. That Direction can be found here. The Direction does not restrict you from disclosing your own submission to others and does not include the final Inquiry Report including its enclosures.
If you have any questions about how the Inquiry handled your submission, please contact the Office of the IGADF by email to ig.adf@igadf.gov.au.
Support services
The Inquiry Report includes content that may cause distress for some readers. Details of support services are available here or inside the Inquiry Report.