Mr BEVIS —My question is to the Minister for Defence. Is the minister aware of a report today that the Ombudsman has criticised the Australian Defence Force for using informal inquiries without guidance or accountability mechanisms, leading to some investigations going `off the rails' and `perceptions that complaints were being swept under the carpet'? Is the minister aware that the Chief of the Defence Force, General Baker, has agreed with those conclusions, which relate to inquiries conducted in the last 12 months? Minister, in light of your failure to act, which has now led to the Black Hawk inquiry being badly undermined, will you take immediate action to implement proper guidance and accountability mechanisms?

Mr McLACHLAN —We have already taken that action. The Ombudsman's media release yesterday dealt with her annual report. That report substantially covered her own investigation into the way the ADF investigates serious matters, and they are being investigated.

I might say that I am glad that the honourable member mentioned the subject of the Black Hawk inquiry, because, as I said yesterday, both he and the Leader of the Opposition have acted with total impropriety in this matter. I think that the Leader of the Opposition probably knows that. But they have been out making recommendations publicly about interfering with the legal military processes, and you know and he knows that your interference and suggestions of interference are totally improper.

A little later in the day during the MPI I will read out those transgressions. I will tell you that they are the worst that I have seen, because you know better. What is more, in the process you have criticised the military leaders of this country and are undermining the process yourself.

Mr Howard —Mr Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper .