User:Nford24/2024 review of the Defence Honours and Awards system

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In 2024, a senate review was launched to investigate awards made under the Defence Honours and Awards system.[1][2]

Background

Campbell with medal ribbons in 2018

Following the release of the Brereton Report on 19 November 2020[3] The Chief of the Defence Force General Angus Campbell immediately disbanded 2 Squadron, Special Air Service Regiment[4] and acting on a recommendation of the Brereton War Crimes inquiry, wrote to the Governor-General David Hurley recommending that the Meritorious Unit Citation be revoked for Task Force 66 (Special Operations Task Groups IV – XX), originally awarded on 26 January 2015.[5] In April 2021, Defence Minister Peter Dutton reversed this decision, but stated that those who have a conviction, or a finding of inappropriate behaviour, will have their citation revoked.[6]

In late November 2022, Campbell gave officers of Captain to Brigadier rank "28 days to prove their service in the Afghanistan war was distinguished".[7] Up to 3,000 Australian Defence Force members faced potentially having their medals revoked.[8] At the time of the most serious allegations in 2012, Campbell was serving as the Commander Joint Task Force 633, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.[9] This has led to calls for Campbell to be stripped of his decoration due to findings of the Brereton Report [7][8] The criteria for the award of the Distinguished Service Cross was brought into question as his citation read 'in action' and not 'in warlike operations'.[8] Campbell has stated that he attempted to return his Distinguished Service Cross following the publication of the Brereton Report, however the offer was rejected by Defence Minister Linda Reynolds.[10]

On 22 February 2012, Changes to the award criteria for the Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal and Commendation for Distinguished Service were gazetted. The criteria changed from 'in action' to 'in warlike operations'.[11]

In May 2023, Angus Campbell again attempted to strip defence force members of their distinguished and conspicuous service decorations, notifying several Afghanistan War veterans that he had referred the termination of their decorations to Defence Minister Richard Marles.[12]

In June 2024, Afghanistan War veterans called for a review of the 12 Distinguished Cross's and one bar made out to various commanders of Joint Task Force 633.[13] This list would include General Angus Campbell, Rear Admiral Trevor Jones and Lieutenant General John Frewen.

Senate inquiry

On 3 July 2024 following a successful motion by Senator Malcolm Roberts[14], the Senate referred an inquiry into the Defence honours and awards system to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Reference Committee. The committee is expected to release its report on 28 November 2024.[15]

The terms of reference for the inquiry are;[16]

  • a) experiences of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel progressing through the honours and awards system;
  • b) the effect of awards and honours on maintaining morale within the ADF;
  • c) assurance of the integrity of awards to senior officers for conduct in the Afghanistan conflict;
  • d) the effect of changes in criteria for some honours and awards from ‘in action’ to ‘in warlike operations’;
  • e) the operation of the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal, including any potential improvements;
  • f) any potential improvements to the Defence honours and awards system; and
  • g) any related matters.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Inquiry to probe integrity of military honours and awards amid claims of abuse". The Nightly. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  2. ^ "Honours inquiry announcement". Instagram. Senator Malcolm Roberts. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  3. ^ "The Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force Afghanistan Inquiry". Department of Defence. Major General Paul Brereton. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  4. ^ "SAS squadron disbanded over Afghanistan claims in Brereton report". 7 News. 19 November 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  5. ^ Freguson, Richard (19 November 2020). "Service medals set to be revoked". The Australian. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  6. ^ "SAS soldiers to retain unit citation medals: Peter Dutton". NewsComAu. 18 April 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  7. ^ a b Meacham, Savannah (28 November 2022). "Afghanistan veteran slams defence chief's campaign to strip medals". ABC News. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  8. ^ a b c Loomes, Phoebe (26 November 2022). "Defence chief cleared to strip medals". ABC News. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  9. ^ "Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)". It's an Honour. Australian Government. 11 June 2012.
  10. ^ "Angus Campbell in political soup". Crikey. 13 June 2023. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  11. ^ Distinguished Service Decorations (PDF) (Third ed.). Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General. 2020. p. 18. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  12. ^ "Australian Defence Force chief Angus Campbell renews calls to strip medals from Afghanistan war veterans". ABC. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  13. ^ "Angry vets plea for Labor to revoke Angus Campbell's Afghanistan medal, saying he did not see enough action". The Nightly. 1 July 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  14. ^ "Senate to investigate process of awarding medals in Defence". Contact. 6 July 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  15. ^ "Defence honours and awards system". Australian Senate. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  16. ^ "Terms of Reference". Australian Senate. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
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