What are inquiries?

Find more information about what happens during an inquiry, and the responsibilities of those involved. 

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. These inquiries must be conducted on or before 5 February 2027 and 2 December 2030. 

 

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

 

  • 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 
  • information 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’. This is if they are of the opinion that it is in the public interest that certain powers 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  
  • require a person to provide information or produce documents or things relevant to the inquiry, 
  • require a witness to take an oath or affirmation that the evidence they give at a hearing will be true, and  
  • apply for a search warrant.