Diggers risk discipline with anti-Israel letter

Defence considers disciplinary action against officials and serving ADF personnel who signed an open letter accusing the government of complicity in ‘the genocide’ of Palestinians.

Defence Department secretary Greg Moriarty during a Senate estimates hearing on Wednesday. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Defence is considering disciplinary action against officials and serving ADF personnel who signed an open letter accusing the federal government of complicity in “the genocide, ethnic cleansing and illegal occupation of Palestine”.

The department’s secretary, Greg Moriarty, and the Chief of the Defence Force Angus Campbell told a Senate estimates hearing on Wednesday that uniformed and civilian Defence employees were among more than 2200 public servants who had signed the letter. They said they were still trying to determine how many had done so. The letter calls for an end to Australian military exports to ­Israel – which the government says are no longer occurring.

Mr Moriarty said Defence staff would be reminded of their obligation to be impartial and professional in their public comments.

“My inclination is to proceed to do that quickly,” he said. “We have further options to take formal ­action in accordance with the APS code of conduct, and certainly the CDF has at his disposal other ­arrangements in relation to members of the ADF.”

The revelation came as ­Defence officials defended the sale of Australian F-35 parts into the aircraft’s global supply chain, which could be used by Israel as one of the operators of the jets.

Greens senator David Shoebridge pointed to regulations ­requiring Australian military sales to not “aggravate an existing threat to international peace and security”.

But deputy secretary Hugh Jeffrey said F-35 components sold by Australian companies were ­exported to the US, which managed the stockpile on behalf of the aircraft’s users. “I think the question of whether or not the F-35 is being employed in the crisis in ­Israel is not material to the question of whether or not we grant an export permit,“ he said.

Defence officials also came under fire over their failure to ­expand the size of the ADF while presiding over a 30 per cent ­increase in senior commander numbers.

General Campbell told the hearing that the ADF was set to achieve just 57 per cent of its ­recruiting and retention target this year, but he was confident there would be “clear momentum” in tackling the problem by ­December.

Chief of the Defence Force, General Angus Campbell, appearing before the Senate’s Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Senator Shoebridge said ­Defence officials had expressed confidence every year that the situation would turn around, but the size of the force remained stuck at just over 58,000.

But he said Mr Moriarty had achieved “in certain categories” since he became secretary seven years ago, boosting the number of star-ranked officers from 189 to 254.

“Is our defence strategy to frighten off our adversaries with gold braid? We’re going to glint them to death?” Senator Shoebridge asked.

Mr Moriarty interjected: “Officers do serious work.” The comment prompted a furious response from Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie, who shouted: “What, and Diggers don’t? How dare you.”

The exchange followed confusion in ministerial ranks over the government’s new policy to admit foreigners to the ADF.

Defence Minister Richard Marles slapped down junior colleague Matt Keogh on Tuesday after the Defence Personnel Minister said all foreign residents would soon be able to apply to join the ADF.

Mr Marles clarified that New Zealand citizens living in Australia would be able to serve in the ADF from July 1, with the eligibility ­extended from January 1 to Americans, British and Canadian applicants, and later to Pacific Islander recruits.

Defence officials said both ministers received a draft policy in March and a draft press release in May, but that wasn’t the final point in the policy’s development.

“A draft press release and talking points provided to a minister’s office is just the beginning of a process, I’ve found, over the years,” Mr Moriarty said.