The federal government is to change the way Defence investigates service-related deaths, with primary responsibility to be handed to the Inspector-General of the Defence Force.
Defence Minister Kevin Andrews on Thursday foreshadowed the move during debate on other uncontroversial changes to the way the inspector-general operates.
Mr Andrews said service-related deaths must now be investigated through a Chief of the Defence Force commission of inquiry, unless the minister directed otherwise.
While this provided the appearance of an independent inquiry, it was inefficient and costly.
Mr Andrew said he intended to change regulations so there was no automatic requirement for a statutory inquiry into service-related deaths.
Instead, they would be referred to the inspector-general, who would decide how to deal with each one.
A public hearing, an inquiry in private or a desk-top review could be held, Mr Andrews said.
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