Recruitment in Australian Defence Force

Thank you for allowing the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (the Commission) to make a submission to your Inquiry into Recruitment and Retention of ADF Personnel. As the Human Rights Commissioner, I am responsible for administering provisions of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986 (HREOCA) that pertain to breaches of human rights in Australia. I am also particularly responsible for administering provisions concerning discrimination on the basis of sexual preference. My submission is addressed to parts (2)(c) and (2)(f) of your terms of reference. In particular, it examines potential breaches of international law arising out of discrimination against homosexual members of the ADF regarding allowances and benefits for members' “spouses” and “dependants” under Defence Determination 2000/1.