Defence and Veterans’ Service Commissioner Act 2026

A final inquiry report must set out:

the findings of the inquiry; and

a summary of the evidence and other material on which those findings are based; and

any recommendations resulting from the inquiry; and

if the Commissioner has received a response from a Commonwealth entity, an official of a Commonwealth entity or any other person under section 23 in relation to a finding or recommendation included in the final inquiry report—the response.

See also section 28, which provides that certain material must not be included in a final inquiry report.

For a final inquiry report for an inquiry under section 16, the Commissioner may:

give the final inquiry report to any of the following:

the Minister;

any other person or body if the Commissioner considers it appropriate to do so; and

publish the final inquiry report on the Commissioner’s website.

If a final inquiry report is given to the Minister under subsection (2), the Commissioner may also request the report to be tabled in each House of the Parliament.

For a final inquiry report for an inquiry under section 17 or 18, the Commissioner must, as soon as practicable after preparing the final inquiry report:

give the report to:

the Minister; and

if the report includes a recommendation that a Commonwealth entity, an official of a Commonwealth entity or any other person take certain action—the entity, official or other person concerned; and

any other person to whom the Commissioner gave the draft inquiry report; and

publish the final inquiry report on the Commissioner’s website.