A "failure of leadership" has resulted in cultural problems across the Australian Defence Force, top-ranking air force officials have told the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
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Australia's air force chief said while the defence force he joined in 1980 was different to the one he wants to promote in 2022, more needs to be done to improve the culture.
Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld - appointed to the top job in 2019 - says he believes the "lion's share" of people within the defence force do the right thing.
But he admitted there have been - and possibly still are - people not performing according to the values of the ADF.
The commission has previously heard hazing, stigmatisation over seeking help, bullying, and a culture of silence around sexual assault and domestic violence have been consistent themes within the defence force.
Air Marshal Hupfeld said people are recruited based on their values and how they will integrate with the air force.
"I wouldn't assume there are 'unofficial values' (in the ADF)," he told the commission on Thursday, in relation to the themes of the inquiry described.
"There are still people who aren't able to understand how to practise our values, that may misinterpret what is meant ... I would hope there is none that deliberately do it."
Warrant Officer Fiona Grasby - who joined the RAAF in 1987, aged 17 - said while she had not personally witnessed unacceptable behaviour she had heard of it occurring.
"It comes down to a failure of leadership across the ADF," she told the commission.
Warrant Officer Grasby said the air force had evolved leadership styles to involve people at every rank, regardless of gender.
"It is a never-ending, continual improvement of culture," she said.
"Leadership is about understanding humans. We have focused on bringing in elements of the psycho-social and looking at different leadership styles."
The commission heard in comparison to the navy and army, the air force has lower rates of suicide among ex-service members according to data compiled by the National Institute for Health and Welfare.
Air Marshal Hupfeld told the commission any rates of suicide within the ADF were distressing and the air force was working to understand contributors and minimise risk.
But he said the RAAF supports serving members and it is the responsibility of the Department of Veterans' Affairs to monitor former service people and provide support.
"We should be enabling the integration between (air force and DVA) to be able to track our personnel and ensure there is better transition between service and ex-service," he said.
"Understanding risk factors is important to minimise the impacts we may have placed on individuals to reduce risk of suicide."
Yet Commissioner Peggy Brown pointed out only one-third of veterans are engaged with the DVA and there were "undoubtedly" people who were being missed.
Air Marshal Hupfield conceded as much assistance as possible needed to be given to the DVA to support former air force personnel.
For the next fortnight the royal commission will probe what the defence force is doing to address issues with its culture, and the support being provided to veterans.
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Australian Associated Press
