More than 1000 Australian Defence Force women have registered for a class action against the Commonwealth alleging systemic sexual abuse, harassment and discrimination.
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But the Commonwealth is seeking to remove from the claim any incidents alleged to have occurred while ADF women were deployed overseas.
Lawyers on both sides provided further details on the case in the first hearing of the unprecedented legal action in the Federal Court on Tuesday.
There are four applicants in the class action, whose names are withheld for legal reasons.
The class action was announced in October, and any woman subjected to sexual violence, sexual harassment or discrimination while working in the ADF between November 12, 2003 and May 25, 2025 is eligible to participate.
In the first 48 hours after it was launched, more than 1000 women registered.
Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Minister Matt Keogh said sexual misconduct within the force was unacceptable wherever it occurs.
Matt Keogh during a National Press Club address on Tuesday. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
During a National Press Club address on Tuesday, Keogh announced an inquiry into how pervasive sexual assault and sexual harassment are within the ADF.
The inquiry will investigate barriers to reporting sexual misconduct, following through with complaints and the pressing of charges.
It will include the investigative powers of military police, barriers faced by civilian police investigating sexual assault on defence force bases, recidivism, decisions not to prosecute, conviction rates, sentencing outcomes and penalties.
The ADF has been contacted for comment.
AAP