Transparency and Accountability Workshop

The New Zealand Defence Force is tomorrow hosting a one-day workshop on transparency and accountability in modern military operations.

More than 50 experts and officials are expected to attend the workshop, which is being held with the assistance of Victoria University Law School. Invitees include former judges of international tribunals, human rights lawyers, and the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force as well as senior legal academics, a representative of the Ombudsman’s Office and the head of the Independent Police Conduct Authority.

“Transparency and accountability are important issues in a democracy and as such deserve considered discussion and debate,” said Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Tim Keating.

“The workshop will critically examine the effectiveness of the current framework and discuss the military justice system. It will consider how transparency and accountability can be balanced against the imperative for operational security, which is necessary to protect our people.”

The military justice system underwent a comprehensive review in 2007 with legislative amendments coming into force in 2009. Like any system, it requires regular review to ensure that it remains fit for purpose in a modern military context.