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

Summary

Following recommendations from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, this reform updates Australia's military discipline system to better protect the mental health of Defence Force personnel caught up in disciplinary proceedings. The changes amend the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 and seven related laws to modernise how mental health issues are handled in military justice, introduce fairness measures that align with civilian court standards, and streamline disciplinary processes. For Defence Force members, this means fairer treatment during disciplinary cases, better support for those struggling with mental health, and greater transparency — addressing concerns that the military justice system wasn't adequately considering psychological harm or meeting community expectations of basic justice.

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