ADF braces for alarming report

Chief of the Army Lieutenant-General Rick Burr, appropriately, has written to all his troops to prepare them for the imminent release of the Brereton Report into allegations of war crimes by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan. It is his duty to remind those under his command of their obligations to the nation, to Anzac forebears and to one another. On Saturday, General Burr told Inquirer he had not yet seen the formal report of retired justice Major-General Paul Brereton. However, the senior leadership of the army had already concluded the culture of our Special Forces had to change. General Burr conceded that he knew enough already to be deeply troubled by the substance of the allegations about killing and mistreatment of non-combatants and prisoners of war. Defence Minister Linda Reynolds has also warned the nation to be prepared for shattering revelations

Australians are proud of our men and women in uniform, who respond to challenges few of us can imagine. This century, our wars have been fought exclusively by volunteers. Most have upheld the finest traditions of the Australian Army. Those who have not must be held to account. We support the ADF leadership in restoring ethical standards. Barbarism in the defence of noble values is unacceptable. But it is also essential to maintain perspective. Anyone who has committed crimes must face the full force of the law. But our soldiers must continue to exhibit the “warrior ethos”. We hope General Burr’s missive is not the prelude to another long process of inquiries into “toxic masculinity” and the diversion of forces into compliance with oversight by woke human rights commissioners.

Our Special Forces are the point of the national sword. In dangerous times they need to concentrate on their core business, not be crippled by yet more reviews into their culture. As General Burr said: “Most people in Afghanistan did the right thing. Veterans and their families need to know that. Waiting for this report is exacting a very heavy toll.” Release it and let justice take its course. The nation and those whose reputations have faced innuendo for almost five years deserve no less.