The Defence Amendment (Sexual Assault Prevention, Intervention and Response Commission) Bill 2025 creates an independent statutory body—the Sexual Assault Prevention, Intervention and Response Commission (SAPIRC)—under the Defence Act 1903 to drive zero-tolerance culture, prevention, reporting and response to military sexual violence across the Australian Defence Organisation.

This follows the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s findings on systemic failures in addressing sexual assault within the ADF.

The Bill amends the Defence Act 1903 by inserting a new Part (after Part VIIIE) to establish the Sexual Assault Prevention, Intervention and Response Commission (SAPIRC). Key features include:

• Section 110ZMA–110ZMF (Division 1): Sets the object of zero incidence of sexual assault, extends coverage to all ADF members, civilians, contractors and cadets, and applies extraterritorially.
• Division 2 (Sections 110ZMG–110ZMN): Constitutes the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioners and Commission, defines functions, powers and guarantees independence from Defence chain of command.
• Division 3 (Sections 110ZMP–110ZMU): Mandates awareness training, a two-stream reporting system (restricted/unrestricted), 24/7 response and support, forensic examination (“SAFE”), evidence storage, data collection/reporting, and a certification regime for personnel.
• Division 4–5: Imposes duties on Defence leaders (CDF, Service Chiefs, commanders, Judge Advocate General, Provost Marshal, health commanders and more) and sets enlistment/retention rules to exclude or discharge sexual offenders.
• Division 6–7: Details appointment, tenure, remuneration, staffing, funding by Parliament, independent reviews (first within two years, then every five) and annual reporting requirements to the Minister.

From the explanatory memorandum:

The Bill will establish a statutory authority, responsible to the Minister, to deal with military sexual violence within the Australian Defence Organisation.