The chief of the Australian Defence Force has demanded senior officers justify why they should keep honours and medals awarded during the Afghanistan war, as the fallout from the Brereton Inquiry into alleged war crimes continues.
The landmark investigation into the conduct of Australian special forces, released in November 2020, made 143 recommendations – including that there be a review of honours handed out to ADF personnel who served in Afghanistan.
"Units live and fight as a team," General Angus Campbell said at the time.
"The report acknowledges, therefore, that there is also a collective responsibility for what is alleged to have happened."
Then defence minister Peter Dutton put the matter on ice, but last month General Campbell restarted that process after being given permission by new minister Richard Marles.
"The government has confirmed the [chief of the defence force] may recommence his consideration of administrative action for command accountability related to the Afghanistan Inquiry," a spokesperson for the Department of Defence said in a statement.
ADF personnel and veterans caught up in the review have been given 28 days to provide reasons for keeping their honours.
"The matter is still ongoing and the impacted members have a right of reply," a spokesperson for Mr Marles said.
"Noting this, it would be inappropriate to comment further.
"The Albanese government is committed to implementing the Brereton report."
The federal opposition has accused the government of blindsiding defence personnel and veterans, reopening old wounds.
"Political leadership is critical," Shadow Defence Minister Andrew Hastie said.
"Richard Marles needs to explain why this process has been recommenced — why and what the outcome is that he's driving towards.
"It can be very disheartening and discouraging for people who are trying to get on with defending the nation in a very uncertain time."
Mr Hastie, a former SAS captain, insisted the former government had taken steps to address the allegations of war crimes and deal with broader cultural problems identified by the Brereton Inquiry.
"I stand by the record of the former government, I helped initiate command reform of the Special Air Service regiment — a good reform," he said.
"And if Richard Marles is going to do different things, he needs to explain why."
