Best Ministry Practice
The Defence Anglicans Community is committed to best ministry practice.
We have an independent and impartial process for dealing with complaints about ministry/chaplains misconduct, abuse and incidents.
We use Safe Ministry Resources as our professional standards unit.
If you have any concerns the abuse hotline is 1800 070 511.
Australian Defence Force Chaplains are also required to adhere to Defence Force regulations. Complaints relating to conduct within a service environment can be managed under Defence Instruction (General) Personal 35–3 Management and Reporting of Unacceptable Behaviour.
Complaints under this provision are made through your chain of command.
Is this a complaint or whistle blowing?
There is a real difference.
A “complaint” is when someone says that they have been poorly treated for some reason. They will have a personal interest in the outcome.
When someone “blows the whistle”, they are raising a concern with their employer, a regulator, customers or the police about wrongdoing, risk or malpractice in their workplace. They rarely have a personal interest in the issue and they are usually just alerting others.
Please use the most appropriate means of telling us about your concerns.
Please choose either Complaint or Whistle Blowing.
Please note if you submit either a Complaint or Whistle blowing observation, these are delivered directly to Peter Barnett, the professional standards officer for Defence Anglicans.
Office of the Professional Standards Director
The Office of Professional Standards operates independently of the Defence Anglicans.
The role of the Office of Professional Standards is to respond to allegations of abuse and misconduct, provide care and assistance for survivors of abuse.
The Professional Standards Director is Peter Barnett, and can be reached on the Safe Ministry Helpline 1800 070 511. (business hours).
Complaint
We are very serious about listening to and responding to any complaints fairly, efficiently and effectively.
A complaint can be made to any Staff or Board Member in any way preferred.
One way is to complete the form below.
Whistle Blowing
Defence Anglicans are committed to the highest standards of conduct and ethical behaviour and to promoting and supporting a culture of honest and ethical behaviour, corporate compliance and good corporate governance.
We encourage the reporting of any instances of suspected unethical, illegal, fraudulent or undesirable conduct involving the Defence Force Anglican Chaplaincy, The Trustees for the AMOS Foundation Incorporated or the Service Personnel Anglican Help Society Incorporated and provide protections and measures so that those persons who make a report, whistle blowers, may do so confidentially and without fear of intimidation, disadvantage or reprisal.
