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

# Defence Force Discipline Amendment Bill 2026 ## What it does This bill updates the military justice system to implement recommendations from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. It makes changes to how the Defence Force investigates and punishes military personnel, including new rules around mental health in proceedings, clearer language in disciplinary documents, and streamlined tribunal procedures. ## Why it matters Defence personnel and veterans have experienced high suicide rates, and this bill aims to create a fairer, more transparent military justice system that better considers mental health issues. It also removes outdated or stigmatising language from military discipline laws and makes procedures faster and clearer for everyone involved. ## Key details - **Mental health support**: Creates a new Defence Mental Health Tribunal to handle cases involving personnel with mental impairment, ensuring they're treated fairly during investigations and hearings - **Transparency**: Requires clearer disclosure of service offences and removes stigmatising terminology from disciplinary records that could unfairly damage careers - **Investigation fairness**: Personnel under investigation can now be suspended from duty with better protections, and there are clearer procedures for how evidence is shared between prosecutors and the accused