Amry investigating allegations at Holsworthy Barracks ‘by email’

The investigation is now looking into how a cadet allegedly raped on base was forced to stay in the same platoon as her the alleged perpetrator for two months after reporting it.

An Army investigation into a scandal-ridden unit where one cadet was allegedly raped by a fellow soldier and then named by a senior officer in front of her entire regiment has been reduced to an email survey.

The Sunday Telegraph has been told the woman in question, 19, was also forced to remain in the same platoon as her alleged perpetrator for two months after reporting the incident to military police.

The scope of the investigation into the regiment of trainee soldiers based at the Holsworthy Barracks in western Sydney can be revealed as members of the cohort fear the probe is not being taken seriously by Defence hierarchy.

The email sent out to the junior and trainee cadets asked them to respond to several broad questions such as “do you feel that you personally were the subject of inappropriate behaviour or treatment during training?”

An image taken of cadets at the unit in question.

Members of the regiment, who have since commissioned into the army as officers, believe Defence Minister Peter Dutton should refer the investigation to the Inspector General of the Australian Defence Force and were critical of being sent the survey.

It is understood no soldiers have been called or interviewed about serious allegations raised within the regiment.

The investigation into the unit was launched in May after claims about the treatment of its cadets were raised with superiors, including scores of potential illegal room searches conducted by senior officers, inappropriate behaviour and issues surrounding their leave.

One of the more serious allegations within the regiment is that a cadet who was allegedly raped was named in front of her entire 102 cohort after the case was publicly reported on.

Cadet Jack Bannerman was charged in March with one count of sexual assault after police alleged in court the young woman was forced into having sex with the 19-year-old on base in February before asking her not to tell anyone over text.

Jack Bannerman, pictured, who was charged by police earlier this year.

After she reported the the alleged sexual assault to her superiors, they kept her and Bannerman working on the same platoon for the two months before he was eventually arrested on base by police.

The unit, mostly young gap year and trainee soldiers, fear speaking out about their treatment will harm their military careers.

Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie first raised the issues at an estimates hearing on June 2 but has continued to push the issue in the senate in recent weeks.

Defence, in a statement, declined to answer a series of questions when asked this week.

“As this is an ongoing investigation, Defence is unable to comment on these matters,” a spokesman said.

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