Defence Force Advocate
I was honoured to have served as the Commonwealth Defence Force Advocate from 2015-2023. The DFA is a statutory appointment pursuant to s 58S of the Defence Act 1903. The functions of the DFA are set out at s58T;
DEFENCE ACT 1903 – SECT 58T
Functions of Advocate
The functions of the Advocate are:
(a) to advise the Chief of the Defence Force in relation to matters that have been, or may be, referred to the Tribunal by the Chief of the Defence Force pursuant to subsection 58H(3);
(b) to prepare submissions to be made to the Tribunal on behalf of the Defence Force concerning any matter that is being considered by the Tribunal; and
(c) to represent the Defence Force in proceedings before the Tribunal.
The Tribunal referred to is the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal which sits in Canberra but which also, conducts inspections of various defence facilities across the country.”
