Defence Force Discipline Amendment (RCDVS Implementation and Related Measures No. 1) Bill 2026; Third Reading

Summary

This legislation updates how the Australian Defence Force handles serious misconduct and discipline matters by implementing the Restorative Civil Dispute Resolution Scheme (RCDVS) and making related changes to military justice procedures. The changes amend the Defence Force Discipline Act to introduce new processes for resolving certain disputes outside traditional courts-martial, while also updating other connected discipline rules and procedures. This matters because it gives Defence Force leadership more flexible options for addressing serious personnel issues, potentially reducing the time and cost of formal military court proceedings while still maintaining discipline and accountability within the armed forces.

What happens at this stage

The final vote in this chamber on the bill as a whole, after all amendments have been considered. If it passes, the bill moves to the other chamber to go through the same process. If both chambers have already agreed to identical text, the bill proceeds directly to Royal Assent.

Next: The other chamber, which runs the same process from First Reading, or Royal Assent if both chambers have already agreed