Source: BEN PACKHAM The Australian Newspaper’s Foreign Affairs & Defence Correspondent – September 13, 2022 Defence has avoided an inquiry into the accountability of senior commanders for war crimes despite the findings of an independent panel, which...
Ben Packham
Commentary – Defence is avoiding scrutiny on its long-awaited response to the Brereton inquiry
If Defence is determined to learn the lessons of the past, why isn’t it being upfront with the public on its response to the Brereton war crimes inquiry? Justice Paul Brereton’s report last November laid bare the most shameful chapter in the Australian Defence Force’s...
Defence releases a plan to restore trust and confidence in military
Defence has set out a four-year plan to reform the culture of the ADF, weed out wrongdoers and strip medals from unworthy recipients, in its long-awaited response to the Brereton war crimes inquiry. The report, uploaded quietly to the Afghanistan inquiry website on...
Defence Commentary – Man on a mission: Peter Dutton keeps Defence staff at arm’s length
Peter Dutton has insulated his ministerial office from interference by Defence, accepting only the bare minimum of departmental staff as he prepares to shake up his $44bn portfolio. The Australian has learned the Defence Minister has allowed just two departmental...