Initiating Directive

  1. The Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal (the Tribunal) is a permanent and
    independent tribunal to consider issues arising in the area of Defence Honours and
    Awards.
  2. To enable the Tribunal to consider a range of issues identified by Government,
    the Tribunal is established as an interim administrative body with recommendatory
    powers only. At a later date the Tribunal will be formally established under the
    Defence Act 1903.
  3. The Tribunal is to investigate two priority issues:
    • Australian Defence Medal eligibility criteria; and
    • Recognition of service with the US Army Small Ships.
  4. The Tribunal is to also investigate the following longstanding recognition
    issues:
    • 4RAR personnel who served in Malaysia from 1966-67;
    • Military service in Papua New Guinea after 1975;
    • Service during Operation Solace (Somalia);
    • Special Air Service regiment counter terrorist duties;
    • Peacekeeping operations since 1975;
    • Personnel who took part in the evacuation of the Australian Embassy in Saigon;
    • Australian entertainers in the Vietnam War who went with US concert parties;
    • Far East prisoners of war killed while escaping; and
    • Cadet Instructors.
  5. The Government, through the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support may, in due course, refer other issues to the Tribunal. The Tribunal may also self, initiate investigations if sufficient evidence presents itself. Given the list of outstanding issues the Tribunal may not be in a position to consider submissions from individuals.
  6. An outline of the roles of the Chair and panel members is attached.

  7. Role of Tribunal Chair

    The Chair has the following responsibilities:
    • provide leadership and support to the members and full time secretariat staff;
    • ensure that strong governance frameworks are in place for the focused and efficient operation of the Tribunal;
    • in reaching consistent and fair decisions have regard to the historic relationship that has existed and evolved from the former Imperial System of Honours and Awards;
    • ensure that all decisions are made fairly and in accordance with the policy and principles underpinning the Australian System of Honours and Awards;
    • ensure there is full disclosure of interests by the Chair and members of the tribunal and that no conflict or potential conflict of interest occurs;
    • lead particular inquiries;
    • attend panel hearings and meetings as needed;
    • convene meetings of the whole of the tribunal, if appropriate, to ratify panel decisions before making recommendations;
    • prepare reports and recommendations and decisions for prompt promulgation;
    • ensure that the Parliamentary Secretary, Chief of Defence Force and Secretary of Defence are regularly informed on all Tribunal activities;
    • liaise with key stakeholders as required; and
    • oversight the appointment of Tribunal panel members.

  8. Role of Panel Members

    Panel members have the following responsibilities:
    • attend panel hearings and meetings as needed;
    • review and make decisions through constructive questioning and analysis of information;
    • ensure that strong governance frameworks are followed;
    • ensure that all decisions are made fairly and in accordance with the policy and principles underpinning the Australian system of Honours and Awards;
    • reach consistent and fair decisions having regard to the historic relationship that has existed and evolved from the former Imperial System of Honours and Awards;
    • provide a full disclosure of interests to ensure no conflict or potential conflict of interest occurs;
    • lead particular inquiries as required; and
    • prepare draft reports and recommendations.