Response of 1 June 2012 provided to Dan Box, The Australian, to questions asked on 31 May 2012

The team conducting the planned Five Year Audit on the Australian Defence Force Investigative Service (ADFIS) delivered an initial report in November 2011.

The initial Five Year Audit report was considered by the ADFIS Governance Board which directed that further work was required. The report was not provided to the Chief of Defence Force, or the Chiefs of Navy, Army and Air Force.

The Audit team is continuing its work which includes further engagement across the Defence leadership group and other Government agencies. The report’s final recommendations will be developed based on this engagement.

The aim of the final report will be to provide recommendations - for consideration by the Defence leadership - which further improve the ADF’s investigative capabilities.

ADFIS was formed after the 2005 ‘Report on the Effectiveness of Australia’s Military Justice System’ by the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, and the 2006 ‘Defence Investigation Capability Audit’.

Since the formal establishment of ADFIS in 2007, strong progress has been made to establish a joint investigative capability that is committed to continual improvement. Improvements already implemented include enhancement of the initial investigative training and establishment of a specialist education and training program. This process of improvement also includes the Five Year Audit.

When the Five Year Audit report is completed, it will be considered by the Chiefs of Service Committee.