The defence minister has cancelled awards to a small number of officers for alleged war crimes committed under his watch.
Australia has moved to strip senior military officers of their distinguished service medals over alleged war crimes committed under their watch in Afghanistan.
Thursday's announcement comes after the 2020 Brereton Report found credible evidence that Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel in Afghanistan were involved in the unlawful killing of 39 prisoners and civilians.
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles told parliament the decision was made in line with the report's 143 recommendations, including several relating to “command responsibility”.
“My decisions in this matter are consistent with the conclusions and recommendations of the Brereton Report. In accordance with my obligations to the individuals involved, including those under the Privacy Act, I am prohibited from disclosing the details and findings,” Marles said.
Although Marles did not name the officers who were stripped of their decorations or specify the number affected, local media reported that the measure concerned fewer than 10 people.
Marles also said the Office of the Special Investigator was looking into the possibility of prosecuting some ADF members, but that such investigations “would take years to complete.”
Marles said that while the alleged actions of around two dozen ADF members were a source of “national shame”, more than 26,000 Australians served in the Afghan war.
“Except for the actions of a few, they performed their duties with professionalism, honour and integrity. They should be proud of their contribution and we are proud of them,” he said.
Major General Paul Brereton's four-year inquiry found no evidence that senior military officials were aware of any alleged war crimes.
However, the former judge considered that “commanders of troops, squadrons and working groups have the moral responsibility of command and the obligation to be accountable for what occurred under their command and control.”
In March last year, former Special Air Service Regiment soldier Oliver Schulz was charged with murdering an Afghan man in 2012, becoming the first serving or former member of the ADF to be charged with a war crime-related murder.
