Name: Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee
Uploaded: 2026-09-20T23:20:00+00:00
Duration: 21600 s
Description: Official Recording of Senate Committee Proceedings from the Australian Parliament

Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee

20 September 2026

Contents updated on 21 Sept 2026

The Chair opens the SAPIC bill hearing, takes initial witness evidence on Defence culture, suicide risk and the need for an independent commission, and oversees detailed questioning on SAPIC’s mandate, independence and interaction with existing oversight before closing the morning session. Evidence from former ADF member Della-Forza highlights cultural harms, misuse of NDAs and whistleblowing failures as key justifications for a statutory, fully independent Defence commission.

Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee Mon, 21 Sept 2026 Australian Parliament

10:04 - 10:08

Speaker 1

Let's start, Peter. Yep.

10:08 - 11:31

Speaker 2

Well, good morning everyone. I'd like to declare open this Senate hearing into the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee's inquiry into the Defence Amendment (Sexual Assault Prevention, Intervention and Response) Commission Bill of 2025. I begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we are all meeting today and pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging. The committee will be conducting today's hearing via video conference. These proceedings are public and will be streamed online via the Parliament's website and a Hansard transcript will also be made.

I want to remind all witnesses in giving evidence to the committee today they are protected by parliamentary privilege and it is unlawful for anyone to threaten or disadvantage a witness on account of evidence given to a committee and such action may be treated by the Senate as a contempt. It is also contempt to give false or misleading evidence. Witnesses also have a right to request to be heard in camera. I want to remind senators of their obligations under the behavior code for Australian parliamentarians to treat all witnesses with dignity, courtesy, fairness, and respect. I remind committee members and witnesses who are appearing via video conference and who are not speaking to mute your microphones.

On that note, I'd like to now welcome our first panel. We've got Dr. Gary Rumble.

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