Angus Campbell’s latest post is another hit for Diggers

Angus Campbell could be Australia’s next ambassador to Belgium. Picture: NewsWire/Martin Ollman

General Angus Campbell, the recently retired chief of defence, is on the longest winning streak in history.

Last week Australians were told that Campbell will be Australia’s next ambassador to Belgium. This diplomatic role makes Campbell Australia’s representative to NATO, the European Union and Luxembourg.

This is a man who was in positions of very senior command, including the highest position of chief of the defence force, when much of the worst defence abuse and systemic weaponisation of administrative processes took place.

He was chief of army when other inquiries into defence abuse delivered their adverse findings and recommendations; Campbell sat on his hands.

Campbell cannot claim to have been ignorant of what was happening on his watch.

He was chief of the defence force when Defence obfuscated and frustrated the operations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide – this included refusing to hand over key documents, despite repeated pleas from the commissioners.

Campbell’s refusal to fully acknowledge systemic failings and accept personal responsibility during the royal commission, noting the impact such refusal had on victims and other witnesses, shows a lack of diplomacy and empathy.

Probably not ideal traits for an ambassador.

The ADF and Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) conduct Exercise Keris Woomera at Banongan Beach, East Java, Indonesia in November. Picture: Agvi Firdaus

My major beef with Campbell, besides all of the above, is that he was in overall command of Australian forces in Afghanistan when some of the worst allegations of war crimes came up.

He visited Afghanistan on a number of occasions during that period, but he has never accepted any command responsibility for the alleged conduct.

He was happy to throw Diggers under the bus, while senior command got off scot-free.

For veterans who served in Afghanistan, the announcement of Campbell’s latest gig will be particularly galling.

He accepted his Distinguished Service Cross under dubious circumstances (in terms of eligibility) and has not returned his DSC notwithstanding that subordinate commanders have been made to return theirs.

Campbell told the media last week that: “Today’s ADF is a far better and more capable force than the one I joined so many years ago.”

What a joke.

The ADF currently has the worst enlistment and retention numbers in years.

The ADF has the worst enlistment and retention numbers in years. Picture: Getty Images

As retired Australian Special Forces Commando Wes Hennessey CSM told The Nightly last year, Campbell has left the force in an atrocious state.

“You’ve got a massive retention crisis, a massive recruitment crisis, serious morale issues and several capability shortfalls,” Hennessey said.

“There’s no national strategic defence strategy and no unified strategy. That directly impacts our national security.”

Once again a Canberra “mate” is getting a top job on big bucks with lots of prestige when – in my view and many others – he simply doesn’t deserve it.

Senator Jacqui Lambie is leader of the Jacqui Lambie Network and a former army corporal