Defence may be in contempt of parliament over an internal document designed to deter personnel from coming forward with information about alleged sexual misconduct on a navy ship, a Senate committee says.

 

The Senate foreign affairs defence and trade committee said that document, called a DEFGRAM, appeared on the defence intranet 11 days after the Senate inquiry into events aboard HMAS Success was launched.

 

The DEFGRAM was intended to remind personnel about correct procedures for dealing with parliamentary committees, including preparing submissions and appearing as a witness.

 

"Unfortunately, it conveyed a clear message that restrictions would apply to any contributions defence personnel wished to make to the committee," the committee said in a report tabled in the Senate.

 

In particular, the DEFGRAM said all defence involvement needed to be approved by the minister and under no circumstances should any material be provided to any committee without ministerial approval.

 

The committee said that effectively deterred Australian Defence Force personnel from contacting it about matters relating to the inquiry and could amount to a contempt.

 

It recommended the matter be referred to the committee of privileges, although that hasn't yet happened.

The Senate inquiry was launched late last year and has so far received six submissions which remain confidential. It has held no hearings.

 

This was prompted by opposition concern about an internal defence inquiry into the conduct and treatment of four senior sailors aboard Success.

 

In July the Seven Network aired allegations that the four had embarked on a contest to see how many female sailors they could bed during an extended sea voyage.

 

The original defence inquiry was deemed flawed and defence head Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston then launched a second, independent inquiry, presided over by retired judge Roger Gyles. It's heard allegations of predatory conduct by male sailors.

 

Chairman of the Senate foreign affairs, defence and trade committee committee Russell Trood said their inquiry had been placed on hold pending the outcome of the Gyles inquiry.

 

A final report will be delivered by September 2.

 

In the interim report tabled today, the committee expressed concern that the handling of events on Success had damaged the reputation of a number of senior sailors, causing them and their families unnecessary stress and embarrassment.

 

It had also called into question the integrity of the defence administrative system.

 

"Such a situation should never have developed but unfortunately it is not an unfamiliar occurrence," it said.

AAP

By Max Blenkin