The defence force chief is under fire from Jacqui Lambie for writing to Afghanistan veterans about stripping service medals after an investigation into war crimes.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The Tasmanian senator slammed General Angus Campbell for recommending medals be stripped from commanders despite no war crime findings in court.
General Campbell wrote to a number of veterans saying their honours for distinguished and conspicuous service would be stripped after a review of servicemen and commanders during the relevant time period.
But he was also forced to justify why he oversaw a review that included himself.
General Campbell said he felt he could mitigate any conflict of interest because he had read the full Brereton report, which found credible evidence of war crimes committed by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan.
He said any other defence official investigating him would be under his command, which would lead to the perception he implicitly affected the outcome.
The general said he considered referring himself to former defence force chiefs to investigate but "didn't want to give them that pain" due to the level of emotion and disinformation circulating.
He said he was satisfied the defence minister didn't have to accept his recommendations if he considered his actions "inadequate, inconsistent or self-interested".
General Campbell was also forced to defend why he made the recommendation to strip others of their medals when the Brereton report only recommended the decorations of commanders "be reviewed".
Senators used a hearing on Tuesday to question why medals would be stripped with no criminal wrongdoing having yet been proven in court and the report only recommending a review.
"We're all accountable for the times of our command and for the circumstances of those commands," the military chief told the hearing.
"It's not a criminal process or an indication of criminal liability but rather a commander's accountability for the performance of their command."
But Senator Lambie hit back at the general, saying: "You were cleared and the rest were hung out to dry."
"Where is your command accountability?" she said.
She also chastised the defence department for being more concerned about releasing the names of 24 people whose medals could be stripped than stopping the names and faces of those accused of war crimes from being made public.
The senator said it could cause harm to their families and endanger them if they end up in jail ahead of their hearings due to terrorist cells that operate behind bars.
"You're happy to stand there and do nothing about those boys with their faces out there that have been accused of war crimes," she said.
"They have family out there who can be put at risk, especially if terrorist attacks start again.
"Who do you think is first on their agenda?"
General Campbell said the department had not released any names and it was a process for the courts.
He did not confirm how many people he had written to.
Veterans groups have chastised the general for moving ahead of any criminal findings in court, saying it negatively impacted the mental health of veterans and stripped them of their right to the presumption of innocence.
The chief's recommendation is being considered by Defence Minister Richard Marles.
A similar push in 2021 was blocked by then defence minister Peter Dutton who said only those convicted of war crimes would lose their honours.
Lifeline 13 11 14
Open Arms 1800 011 046
Australian Associated Press
