By Laura Lavelle, ABC News
There were fears some of the worst-affected veterans would be barred from giving evidence to the inquiry.
Gag orders imposed on former and current (Australian) Defence personnel who have experienced sexual violence will not be enforced, allowing them to participate in a landmark military sexual violence inquiry.
The affirmation has been made by Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh in response to a letter penned by the Human Rights Law Centre last month, pleading with federal ministers and the new head of the Defence and Veterans' Service Commission to provide amnesty to victim-survivors bound by non-disclosure agreements (NDA).
"This decision may give back voice to thousands of servicemen and women who signed it away without realising the impacts on their lives long-term," Regina Featherstone, a senior lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre, said.
