Australia’s most decorated war hero has delivered a scathing attack on the Australian Defence Force’s top brass for their “disgusting” treatment of veterans and “staggering” lack of direction. Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith said military commanders had run...
War Crimes Inquiry
Podcast – The capacity of the ADF should send a ‘tingle down the spine of our adversaries’
Defence Minister Peter Dutton says the capacity which Australia’s defence force (ADF) brings to the Five Eyes nations, Quad partners, and to others in our region should send a “tingle down the spine of our adversaries”. Earlier on Monday Mr Dutton overruled the...
Opinion: Further Comments on the Afghanistan Allegations
David Jamison adds more to his earlier comments . "My belief that the government has botched the Brereton report in a most spectacular fashion has been reinforced this week. The Government Ministry reshuffle has left the current Defence Minister in place. Her public...
Summary of ASASA National Response to Release of IGADF Report
Close Collaboration with Welfare Coordination Cell- West Nick Coenen and his team have been doing a great job trying to support those impacted by the Inquiry, more recently with 13 Individuals who have been issued with NTSC letters. Initially they were given...
Opinion: Comment on the Afghanistan Allegations
"I have been following the public debate on the allegations that our soldiers have committed criminal acts whilst deployed on operations in Afghanistan. I feel compelled to take a moment to comment on the Brereton report and its allegations the SAS committed war...
Media Statement – Natural Justice Must Prevail
Now is the time for a considered assessment of the findings of the Inspector General’s Report into alleged serious misconduct by Australia’s Special Forces in Afghanistan. It is an internal ADF Report that now is subject to ADF disciplinary and administrative...
Opinion: Sad and Disturbing Times
There is no escaping the stark realities that the allegations of murder by our military during operations in Afghanistan will be a scar of shame for our nation. How quickly such a terrible brand fades, will depend on how well we stay united, and how quickly we can...
Opinion: Andrew Hastie – Reflections on the Afghanistan Inquiry.
Dear Ted, This was a long, difficult week. Thank you all for the support and thousands of responses to my reflections on the Afghanistan Inquiry. For those who missed it, my essay can be read here. In summary: First, we have forgotten basic truths about human nature....
SAS soldiers dismissed in Australian war crimes inquiry fallout
At least 10 Australian Special Forces soldiers have been dismissed from their duties in the wake of the Afghanistan war crimes inquiry. The Australian Defence Force has begun dismissing Special Forces troops who were silent witnesses to the alleged execution of Afghan...
Opinion – What is Going On?
SO SAD. Consequences will be felt for a long time. In my view there was too much emphasis on Special Forces and thus incredible physical and mental demands on unit and its soldiers. More so for such a long period. It was a total disregard for appropriate...