A message from the Chief of Navy

12 February 2010 By Chief of Navy

You will have heard by now that a new inquiry will be opened into a range of matters arising from equity and diversity issues on board HMAS Success.

This independent investigation will be carried out by a senior retired judge and has my full support. If the system needs fixing then let us fix it. As I have said previously, we owe it to all of those involved in this matter to get it right.

I know some of you will be disappointed and frustrated but our processes must be fair and able to withstand scrutiny. I am determined to make sure that we provide the highest standard of justice for the wellbeing of all our people. Of course this does not flag any lessening of my desire to address any allegations of behavioural concerns, whenever they arise, to determine if they are true. We owe it to our people and our values to do this. Just because these matters are hard to resolve doesn’t mean we will baulk at doing so.

I would also like to take this opportunity to correct reports you may have read in some media that Navy claimed there was a “sex ledger”. This is completely incorrect. At no stage did Navy ever state this. Continuing reports of this nature are damaging to the process and more importantly damaging to our people.

All of us must make proper behaviour at sea and ashore a fundamental priority. If wrongdoing has occurred, and I stress this has yet to be established, those responsible must be brought to account. In this and every other case involving Military Justice, we owe to all parties concerned a guarantee of an impartial and robust hearing.

Russ Crane
, RAN
Chief of Navy

12 Feb 10