The more we spoke,the more his guard appeared to slip.
The offer was made to then-defence minister Linda Reynolds but was turned down by the Morrison government because it did not want anybody’s medals revoked.
The Ben Roberts-Smith trial could not explore the full role of officers but it did provide important insights.
Major-General Paul Brereton has warned of the danger of national pride trumping justice when it comes to holding war criminals to account.
The historians won’t see the unredacted report of the Brereton war crimes inquiry until the public sees it,which could be as long as seven years away.
“The general mood[among high-ranking defence officers] is that it has been squibbed,” said one senior officer engaged with the Afghanistan inquiry reform process.
Previously unreported investigations into a former SAS soldier might have been compromised because police obtained information they may be prohibited from using.
The former top judge and prosecutor will need every ounce of his renowned legal acuity if he is to successfully investigate Australian special forces soldiers.
The Defence Minister’s failure to support a number of General Angus Campbell’s decisions has made the defence chief a “lame duck”,senior sources say.
The move by former minister Kevin Andrews was quickly thwarted,but defence chiefs are concerned that upcoming appointments must be free of political taint.
Friday was meant to mark the end of the controversial 2 Squadron of the SAS. Now,citing COVID,the brass has delayed the ceremony.