Personnel could be thrown out of the service or given formal warnings over allegations of assaults on HMAS Ballarat

This article is more than 6 years old

This article is more than 6 years old

Eight members of the Royal Australian Navy face formal warnings or potential termination over claims of inappropriate behaviour on HMAS Ballarat.



Despite the announcement, the navy said an administrative inquiry found there was “no clear evidence of a pattern of systemic unacceptable behaviour or a deep-seated culture of hazing ceremonies or rituals within the ship”.

In November, the defence department launched an inquiry into allegations of navy personnel physically and sexually assaulting colleagues on the HMAS Ballarat.

At the time, a female former sailor told Ten News people were “set upon by other members, stripped off and had things essentially put in their bums”.

The navy announced on Wednesday evening it would take administrative action, following a previous declaration in March that there was insufficient evidence to trigger prosecution.

The eight personnel would be asked to submit a response to show cause notices in coming weeks, the new statement said. Potential actions could range from termination from the navy to formal warnings.

The chief of the navy, vice-admiral Ray Griggs, argued the administrative action showed the navy's “commitment to address unacceptable behaviour”.

Griggs said he was pleased the inquiry report had “found no clear evidence of a pattern of systemic unacceptable behaviour” but added that the navy took all allegations of this nature seriously.

“We have worked to clearly articulate what behaviour is appropriate in our workplace,” Griggs said.

“Accountability is a feature of our cultural change program. All personnel are aware that navy will not tolerate unacceptable behaviour.”

The navy statement flagged the potential for another case to be pursued, saying Griggs had called last year for navy members to come forward if they knew of other instances of alleged inappropriate behaviour.

The navy said this brought to light one instance from several years ago and the matter was subject to an ongoing investigation by the Australian Defence Force investigative service.

Such investigations can potentially lead to prosecutions.

