DEFENCE LIVES MATTER
Let's build a more fair and robust ADF workplace together.
We encourage policy reforms to accord ADF members realistic opportunities to resolve their grievances
and advance towards a fairer, more just and mentally robust workplace.
Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide
Royal Commission Submissions
Relevant Publications
Coleman, Nikki (2023) "“Moral Courage: When the ‘Line in the Sand’ Demands a Response”," The International Journal of Ethical Leadership: Vol. 10, Article 4.
Tory Shepherd (2023), "ADF leadership ‘protected’ air force chaplain’s abuser, royal commission hears," The Guardian.
Danes, Kay (2021) 'Pleading Positive Reform: An analysis of suicide risk, self-harm and reputational peril impacting serving ADF members.'
Danes, Kay. 2021. 'Stand Tall for ADF PTS Reforms.'
Kolomeitz, Glenn and Grierson, Doug (2021). 'DEFENCE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (DISCIPLINE REFORM) BILL 2021
Danes, Kay (2020) 'How dare the ADF Leadership tarnish our 1st Commando Regiment.'
Danes, Kay (2020) 'Defence Lives Matter... call for Senate Inquiry' CLArion.
Hanscombe, John, (2020) ‘Gerroa lawyer Glenn Kolomeitz blasts Defence culture in wake of war crimes report.’
Kolomeitz, Glenn and Rorris, Arthur, (2020) ‘A fish rots from the head: why is ADF top brass still here?’
Danes, Kay (2019) ‘Army ‘Regs’ lead to institutional abuse by Defence’ CLArion.
Danes, Kay (2018) ‘Command Failings that are defence-less’ CLArion.
Danes, Kay (2016) ‘The Moral Ethic of ADF Employment Rights,’ CLArion.
Dollisson, Trish (2013). 'Work Shouldn't Hurt!'
"Often overlooked is the fact that many ADF members have been subjected to significant professional employment failures during service that has caused them irrevocable reputational harm. The risk of suicide and self harm is not just a consequence of war. It is now commonly accepted that there is a link between institutional abuse and abnormal suicide risk among serving members."
Kay earned her PhD with the School of Law and Justice at Southern Cross University, and has a Masters in Human Rights, with High Distinctions, at Curtin University.
Dr Kay Danes OAM
"As frequently displayed in the media, the hierarchy of Defence appear quick to condemn ADF personnel without due process. But are silent in publicly exculpating them when Defence Legal Officers cannot uphold the ‘brutal truths’ as espoused. The Defence Legal Service needs to be held to account for sustaining the impact defence abuse and gross maladministration has on ADF members."
Glenn is an ex-Army Officer who understands the reality of defence maladministration. Kolomeitz has postgraduate degrees in international law, fraud and financial crime investigation, investigation management, and business administration. He is presently writing his doctoral thesis on command responsibility for war crimes and maintains that there will undoubtedly be litigation or defective administrative actions arising from the flawed findings of the Brereton report.
Lawyer Glenn Kolomeitz
WO1 (Retd) Kerry Danes, CSM
"I served 47 years in the Australian Defence Force (ADF), predominately with the Australian Special Forces, and obtained the rank of Warrant Officer Class One. Throughout my service, I have stood beside a number of my colleagues who were subjected to inequitable treatment that resulted in significant detriment to their career, reputation and mental health. The mistreatment of ADF personnel must stop! We need reforms that include a reparation policy that: acknowledges violations that were committed against an ADF member, to repair the damage done by these violations, and to identify the root causes of the violations to prevent them from occurring again in the future."
Kerry has deployed numerous times to several ADF operational theatres, including Afghanistan, where he deployed in varying roles and twice as a Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of two Special Operation Task Group rotations. Throughout his career, Kerry Danes specialised in counterterrorism, hostage rescue and crisis continuity planning in extreme environments.
Australian first – public defence and veteran suicide prevention symposium
19 February 2021
Academics, experts and practitioners from across Australia will come together in March to look at suicide prevention and mental health through a two-day symposium in Canberra, themed ‘Prevention Through Understanding'.
Download the Full Symposium Program (Here)
Submission by Dr Kay Danes OAM
This discussion focuses on two key areas from a policy risk perspective: to examine the perceived inequities of already established dispute resolution policies that are to provide ADF members access to a fair, just, and inclusive workplace; and to explore the potential for exposure to suicide risk, self-harm, and reputational peril for those who seek to redress a grievance through their Chain of Command.
Suppose we are intent on achieving that aim. In that case, we must explore the inequities in policies failing to evolve with contemporary narratives of how everyone should think about their work and behaviour towards others. Supposing we do not consider the impact these inequities have on our ADF members professional reputations and mental health? In that case, ADF members will likely continue to carry unresolved grievances into life beyond service, assuming they do not suicide.
Submission by Dr Kay Danes OAM
