Australian War Crimes

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Chinese Ambassador to Australia Cheng Jingye poses for photographs after holding a press conference at the Ambassador's residence in Canberra, Thursday, December 19, 2019. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch) NO ARCHIVING

‘Overreacting’: China responds to PM

The Chinese embassy calls on the Morrison government to ‘face up’ to the breakdown in relations with Beijing.

Geoff Chambers, Cameron Stewart, Greg Brown and Adeshola Ore

LIVE: PoliticsNowNation

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA-NCA NewsWire Photos 30 NOVEMBER 2020: The Prime Minister Scott Morrison during a virtual press conference from his quarantined accommodation at the Lodge in Canberra.Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

‘Afghan lives matter’: China’s outcry widens

China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman has asked whether Australia believes the murder of innocent civilians is justified, urging Scott Morrison to ‘bring the culprits to justice’.

Richard Ferguson and Max Maddison

War crimes inquiryPolitics

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian speaks at the daily media briefing in Beijing on April 8, 2020. (Photo by GREG BAKER / AFP)

Photo bomb raises stakes

China’s Foreign Ministry used an offensive, fake photo to attack Australia’s military standing.

Richard Ferguson and Adeshola Ore

COMMENTARYCommentary

An Australian Army soldier from Special Operations Task Group prepares for a night mission with the Afghan National Security Force's Special Response Team in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, in October 2010. *** Local Caption *** Australian Army soldiers from Special Operations Task Group mentor Afghan National Security Force police officers from Uruzganâs Special Response Team (SRT) at Multi-National Base Tarin Kowt in southern Afghanistan. The SRT provides the Afghan government and Uruzgan police with a highly trained capability to tackle the toughest of security and law enforcement missions. The SRT is drawn from Provincial Response Company (PRC) personnel and, typically, deploys on operations alongside their SOTG mentors. SOTG comprises personnel from the Special Air Service Regiment, 1st and 2nd Commando Regiments, Incident Response Regiment, Special Operations Logistics Squadron and a variety of supporting units from the ADF. Picture: Department of Defence

Punishing too many Diggers for sins of few

It appears politically convenient to strip 3000 people of citations for the sins of 25 alleged criminals.

Luke Gosling

ExclusiveNation

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 19: Chief of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) General Angus Campbell delivers the findings from the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force Afghanistan Inquiry on November 19, 2020 in Canberra, Australia. A landmark report has shed light on alleged war crimes by Australian troops serving in Afghanistan. (Photo by Mick Tsikas - Pool/Getty Images)

SAS leaders on hit list

ADF Chief Angus Campbell is working through a list of senior officers to determine who should be held accountable over war crimes allegations.

Ben Packham

Brereton inquiryDefence

PM tells top brass to share the scandal blame

Scott Morrison has warned the Chief of the Defence Force Angus Campbell that he expects senior officers to be held accountable for war crimes.

Ben Packham and Joe Kelly

COMMENTARYPolitics

Punishing the innocent is a disgrace

Angus Campbell has decided to strip all personnel serving in and with the special forces in Afghanistan of meritorious unit citations.

Peter Van Onselen

War crimes reportDefence

SAS soldiers sacked in rapid Defence strike

Soldiers from the now-disbanded 2 Squadron, as well as 3 Squadron, have been given termination letters.

Ben Packham

CommentaryCommentary

Original - Eric Lobbecke cartoon for Ozoped 26-11-2020

Leaders went MIA as Brereton bombs fell

There was no way to spin this well, so the government sprinted for cover.

Niki Savva

Brereton war crimes reportExclusives

Gregory Michael Sher, who died in a Taliban rocket attack in Uruzgan province on Sunday 4 January, 2009.Thirty-year-old Private Sher was from the Sydney-based 1st Commando Regiment. Photo Supplied.

Dad’s plea: ‘Don’t strip my dead son’s award from us’

The father of a commando killed in Afghanistan, awarded a meritorious service award, says Angus Campbell can ‘collect it from my son’s gravestone’.

Ben Packham

Defence

Andrew Hastie, Member for Canning WA and former Army Officer, pictured in Mandurah.Mr Hastie talking to The Australian in the wake of the SAS war crimes.PHOTO: MARIE NIRME

Oversight call rejected years ago

Andrew Hastie’s plan for greater oversight of the Australian Defence Force is identical to a proposal dismissed two years ago.

Ben Packham

brereton inquiryNation

SAS Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith VC., MG., with the Australian Special Operations Task Group prepares to deploy to the Shah Wali Kot Offensive, Afghanistan, in June 2010. DEPT. OF DEFENCE IMAGE.

Special forces ‘given too much responsibility’

General Angus Campbell is now backing the introduction of bodycams for ADF personnel in battle, in light of war crimes allegations.

Richard Ferguson and Emily Ritchie

inquirerInquirer

Six years on and Australian SAS troops are still patrolling the rugged and dangerous mountains and valleys of Afghanistan 25 Jan 2009.

There are reasons, not excuses, for the army’s nightmare

Real wars are fought by human beings, not monsters or mythical bronzed Anzacs. This painful reckoning must surely include asking ourselves whether Afghanistan was worth it.

David Kilcullen

inquirerInquirer