What are inquiries?

The Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner may undertake an inquiry in the following circumstances.

• On their own motion: They may inquire into a specific matter which may relate to systemic reform to suicide prevention or improved wellbeing outcomes for serving and ex-serving ADF members.
• At the request of the Minister: The Minister may request the Commissioner look into a specific matter relating to systemic reform to suicide prevention or improved wellbeing outcomes for serving and ex-serving ADF members. The Commissioner must comply with the Minister's request.
• As required by the legislation: The Commissioner must conduct at least two inquiries evaluating the effectiveness of the measures taken by the Government to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. 

Inquiries can be undertaken in a number of ways, including via one or more of the following processes:

• researching relevant publicly available material;
• inviting public submissions; or
• holding hearings to obtain relevant information.

A hearing will generally be held in public unless the Commissioner considers that the evidence to be given includes personal and private information, or information that is operationally sensitive or intelligence information that should be heard in private. In those circumstances, the hearing may be held in part or fully in private.

The Commissioner may declare an inquiry to be a ‘special inquiry’ if they are of the opinion that it is in the public interest that certain powers may be exercised in relation to the inquiry and public notice has been given of the inquiry. The powers that would be available to the Commissioner in a ‘special inquiry’ include:

• the power to summons a person to attend a hearing or to require a person to provide information or produce documents or things relevant to the inquiry;
• the power to require a witness to take an oath or affirmation that the evidence they give at a hearing will be true; and
• the power to apply for a search warrant.

If a person receives a summons to attend a hearing or is required to provide information, documents or things to the Commissioner and that evidence may disclose operationally sensitive information or intelligence information, the person must provide written notice to the Commissioner. Failure to do so may be a criminal offence.