Military justice system will be reviewed
A former NSW Supreme Court chief justice and a retired air marshal are to head a review of Australia's military justice system.
The Rudd government announced the review on Thursday, saying it would consider the effectiveness of an overhaul of the system initiated by the previous coalition government.
"Over the past two years, almost every element of the military justice system has been fundamentally changed," parliamentary secretary (defence science and personnel) Warren Snowdon said after opening the Australian Centre for Military Law and Justice in Canberra.
Sir Laurence Street and Air Marshal (retired) Les Fisher will lead an independent review to assess the effectiveness of the reforms.
Sir Laurence is also a former naval legal officer and Air Marshal Fisher is a former chief of the air force.
The new military law and justice centre is based at the Australian National University.
"(It) will provide valuable research and sustained study into military law issues that have been long overlooked, and could well inform the government in the future," Mr Snowdon said.
An effective military justice system was vital to maintaining command, retaining personnel and the military's reputation, and was critical to operational effectiveness, he said.
Join Us and Debate Military, Defense Issues Now!
Latest Reports
- Ceasefire deal with Sadr militia
- Afghanistan Clash Proves Fatal for Enemy Attackers
- Defense Department Reviews Process for Handling Remains of Fallen Warriors
- Burma Allows One U.S. C-130 to Deliver Relief Supplies
- Military justice system will be reviewed
- Coalition Forces Capture 13 Militants, Disrupt Insurgency
- 15th generation rabbi: Helping servicemembers keep faith
- Military supply lines to Afghanistan fraught with problems: auditor general
- Abrams Tank Crew Kills Attackers in Baghdad Fighting
- Nations Must Work Together to Confront Extremists
- Guard Stands By to Help Storm-Lashed Missouri Residents
- Troops in Afghanistan Capture Three Enemy Fighters
- Druid's Dance Exercise Yields Major Training Milestone
- Taliban militants kill themselves
- Military Condemns Suicide Bombings That Killed 29, Wounded 52