Senator Chamarette asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 10 May 1993:

  (1) What specific actions have been taken by the following persons, and on what date or dates, to give effect to the new policy on homosexual members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF): (a) the Minister and his office; (b) CDF or his office; (c) HQADF; (d) Navy office; (e) CNS or his office; (f) Army office (g) CGS or his office; (h) Air Force office; (i) CAS or his office; and (j) any other relevant office or person.

  (2) In each of the ADF services, how many military police or equivalents were engaged in surveillance or investigation of possible homosexual ADF personnel and what was the total cost of all such surveillance or investigation operations on each of the following occasions: (a) on or about 1 January 1992; (b) on or about 30 June 1992; (c) on or about 31 December 1992; and (d) on or about the date at which notice of this question was given.

  (3) To what purpose will the resources saved by discontinuing surveillance and investigation of ADF homosexuals be put.

  (4) Have all files and other material held by Service police or similar investigative authorities pertaining to homosexual activities by ADF members, other than activities covered by the instruction Unacceptable Sexual Behaviour by Members of the ADF, been destroyed; if not, why not and when will this material be destroyed.

  (5) Have Service recruitment procedures, standards and assessments been varied to take account of the new policy; if so, what are the details; if not, why not.

  (6) How many breaches by allegedly homosexual members of the June 1992 instruction, Unacceptable Sexual Behaviour by Members of the ADF, have occurred since the Cabinet decision pertaining to ADF personnel who are homosexual.

Senator Robert Ray —The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

  (1) On 23 November 1992, the Prime Minister issued a statement advising the Government's decision to end the policy of discriminating against homosexuals in the Australian Defence Force (ADF). It was therefore unnecessary for my office to issue a separate policy statement.

  On 24 November 1992 the Chief of the Defence Force issued a general message to the Defence Force advising the Government's decision revoking the 1986 ADF policy on homosexuality and re-affirmed the 1992 policy on unacceptable sexual behaviour by members of the ADF as promulgated in Defence Instruction General Personnel 35-3. Headquarters ADF staff monitored actions undertaken by each Service.

  The following actions have been taken by the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) and Navy Office:

  The CNS released a message on 24 November 1992 revoking Defence Instruction Navy Personnel 40-10 (Homosexual Conduct) and advising of the intended series of presentations by a Navy Office team on the policy change. This team completed a total of 35 presentations in February 1993.

  The CNS released a message on 25 November 1992 advising of the intention to implement a more comprehensive non-fraternisation policy which would address all sexual behaviour between members onboard RAN vessels as well as RAN establishments.

  The development on 18 January 1993 of supplementary guidance of the new policy, for inclusion into command and ships standing orders.

  The engagement of consultants, to assist in the development of a proposal for the review of policies and programs on interpersonal relationships in the RAN, and to develop training and education programs, and the establishment of a project team titled `Good Working Relationships' to undertake the review of current training, education and awareness programs.

  The commissioning of a film on 22 March 1993 to be produced by `Film Australia' to highlight unacceptable workplace attitudes. Negotiations on the production of the film began in early February.

  The posting of a female officer on 31 May 1993 as a member of the Personnel Liaison Team. This team regularly visits Naval units to give presentations on policy matters and an awareness of this new policy is included in all presentations.

  The following action has been undertaken by the Chief of the General Staff (CGS) and Army Office:

  On 25 November 1992, CGS discussed the change in policy with his principal Commanders and Divisional Heads at a meeting of the CGS Advisory Committee. He directed them to implement immediately the new policy on unacceptable sexual behaviour. Subsequently, briefings were conducted throughout the Army through the functional chain of command.

  The following action has been undertaken by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) and Air Force Office:

  Air Force Office has ensured that all initial RAAF training institutions provide awareness training from January 1993 in the policy associated with unacceptable sexual behaviour. This was undertaken to coincide with the beginning of the training year.

  (2) The Naval Service Police were not engaged in surveillance or investigation of possible homosexual personnel. Any investigation of possible homosexual personnel is limited to the investigation of alleged service offences.

  The Army Military Police did not conduct any surveillance of alleged homosexual behaviour during the periods in question. During October 1992 one investigation was undertaken as a result of a complaint involving alleged homosexual advances in a unit area, and resulted in an Army member being charged with assault. This investigation involved two interviews which, including preparation and subsequent report writing, involved approximately 35 manhours at an estimated cost of $2065.

  Between 1 January 1992 and 23 November 1992, the Army conducted two security investigations into alleged homosexual behaviour of a number of soldiers who held high level security clearances. These investigations involved four interviews which, including preparation and subsequent report writing, involved approximately 50 manhours at an estimated cost of $2950.

  Within Air Force there have been no RAAF Police surveillance or investigations of possible homosexual personnel during the specified period or any other period during 1992/1993. Therefore no funds were expended for surveillance purposes.

  (3) As no resources have previously been employed in the surveillance or investigation of possible homosexual personnel, there has not been a need to re-direct resources within Navy.

  Within Army the resources used for surveillance or investigation of possible homosexual members were not significant. There has been no requirement for specific re-direction of resources.

  As no RAAF Police resources were expended in the surveillance or investigation of alleged homosexuals, no spare manpower or monetary resources were available for redistribution to other duties.

  (4) No express files pertaining to homosexual activities by Naval personnel are held by any Navy authority. Before the change of policy, Commanding Officers were required to report allegations of homosexual conduct for security reasons. These were held on the member's Personal Security File. Following the change of policy, all references to homosexual conduct, apart from a reference to conduct which was subject to either Service disciplinary or criminal action, have been removed from Personal Security Files and destroyed. However, cases of any sexual conduct which results in either disciplinary or civil criminal action continues to be recorded in Personal Security Files.

  Within Army the files relating to investigations are considered `Commonwealth Records' in terms of the Archives Act 1983, and should not be destroyed. They would not, however, be available for public access as they would be considered to be an `exempt record' in terms of Section 33(l) (g) of the Archives Act 1983.

  All files pertaining to homosexual activities by RAAF members have not been destroyed. Air Force considers that no authority for such destruction exists, and indeed to do so may contravene Section 24 of the Archives Act 1983, which makes it an offence to destroy commonwealth records. However, those remaining files are afforded appropriately sensitive treatment.

  (5) Recruitment procedures have not permitted, nor do current procedures permit, questions to be asked of an applicant which will refer to the applicant's sexual preferences. Before enlistment, applicants are made aware of the ADF policy on unacceptable sexual behaviour by members of the ADF.

  (6) Within Navy, four allegedly homosexual personnel have breached the policy on unacceptable sexual behaviour since its introduction.

  Army have had no breaches since the introduction of the new policy.

  Air Force also, have had no breaches of the new policy.