No Brereton accused soldiers in Kabul, Defence statement says

The ADF’s statement about soldiers now in Kabul contradicts the PM’s apparent concession that some ‘were on deck’.

Chief of the Australian Defence Force General Angus Campbell. Picture: AAP

Defence has refuted speculation that any soldiers caught up in the war crimes allegations revealed in last year’s Brereton report are assisting in the Kabul airlift operation.

In a statement quietly uploaded to it’s Afghanistan inquiry website in recent days, the department said: “Defence can confirm no individuals who have received administrative notices in relation to the Afghanistan Inquiry have been deployed by the ADF to support the Australian Government’s evacuation effort from Afghanistan.”

The statement also appeared to contradict Scott Morrison’s comments on Wednesday, in which he suggested some who faced allegations in the confidential version of the Brereton report were “there on the deck at HKIA (Hamid Karzai International Airport) in Kabul“.

Soldiers on the ground in Kabul. Picture: AFP

“I am very proud of what they are doing, including some of those who have been subject to these allegations,” the Prime Minister told 2GB.

The Prime Minister’s office later clarified Mr Morrison’s position, referring The Australian to the Defence statement.

“The PM was making a general comment about being proud of all serving and retired ADF members and not referring to individual cases,” his spokesman said.

A small group of former special forces soldiers had sought to fuel speculation of the involvement in the airlift of those who faced allegations in the Brereton inquiry, amid reports 13 SASR veterans were recently informed there was insufficient evidence to refer them to investigators.

Defence confirmed 17 soldiers had received notices to “show cause” why they should not be terminated since the inquiry was released last November, for “alleged failure to comply with Australian Defence Force expectations and values”.

Australian citizens and visa holders prepare to board an RAAF C-17A Globemaster III at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul. Picture: ADF/AFP

The Australian understands 13 have since left the army for medical or other reasons, while three remain in reserve service, and another is now serving with the United Arab Emirates military.

The four-year Brereton inquiry found credible information of 23 incidents of unlawful killing, and a further two incidents of alleged “cruel treatment” of non-combatants. It recommended 19 special forces soldiers face criminal investigation.

It recommended administrative action – including dismissal from the ADF – for others “where there is credible information of misconduct which either does not meet the threshold for referral for criminal investigation, or is insufficiently grave for referral”.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Picture: Getty Images

In its response to the inquiry released last month, Defence set out a four-year plan to reform the culture of the ADF, weed out wrongdoers and strip medals from unworthy recipients, in its long-awaited response to the Brereton war crimes inquiry.

It said it would restore trust and confidence in the nation’s military forces, restore the ADF’s reputation, and improve its ability to spot warning signs of ­improper conduct.

It committed Defence to making “initial determinations” by the end of 2021 on disciplinary and administrative action against individuals, including reviews on whether to strip their honours and awards.

The response pledges a “transformational reform” package to be delivered through to the end of 2025, focusing on improvements to ADF culture, chain-of-command accountability, recruitment and performance management.