ADF sexual abuse class action 'not a test of loyalty'

More than 2300 women have joined a class action against the Commonwealth, alleging sexual violence, harassment, or discrimination while serving in the Australian military between November 12, 2003, and May 25, 2025. Initially, concerns arose that army members might be excluded due to the initial applicants being from the air force and navy. However, Defence Force Chief Admiral David Johnston stated that participation in the class action would “not a test of their loyalty to the ADF,” and he expects women from all three services to be able to exercise their lawful rights.

Joshua Aylward, the lawyer leading the class action, welcomed this declaration, noting that the Commonwealth had previously attempted to exclude army claims. The Commonwealth is also seeking to remove claims related to incidents that occurred overseas, arguing the Sex Discrimination Act does not apply internationally, a move Aylward criticized as an attempt to “cut them off at the knees.”

A standalone inquiry into military sexual violence is expected to begin in mid-2026, following findings that such violence is “systemic” within the ADF. Survivor advocate Donna Manton highlighted the dissonance between the government’s public commitment to addressing the issue and its legal efforts to limit the scope of the class action.

(Source：The Canberra Times)